Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Twelve in 28 years

So I admit officially, I must have gypsy blood mixed in with my British Blue and Green & Gold Aussie style.  I worked out this morning that if we move again, which is on the cards, we will be moving into our 13th house in 28 years.  Yep offically a gypsy.  We even lived in one house twice, actually bought and sold it twice, crazy I know! 
When we move this time, whenever that is, this little man has to come with us.  He is so sweet.  Adrian came home from the gardening shop with him one day, much to my surprise. I planted up his big bowl with a ground cover with pretty mauve blooms and I think these are crocus, if I remember properly, and they are blooming so well at the moment.  Must be the rain we have had.  At the moment we are in negotiations for a house on nearly 9 acres with horse paddocks etc, the one I mentioned a few days ago.  We've made an offer, they didn't accept it, we have counter offered and are waiting to hear today.  We love the spot, but the house needs a little work and so we just don't want to pay too much for it.  Gotta watch that we don't get all caught up trying to win the bidding war.  There will be other houses.  If it's not meant to be then ok it isn't, I'm cool with that I think.

I am teaching ladies to cook on Wednesday afternoons now, starting tomorrow.  When I worked at TRAMS in 2008 I always enjoyed being there when the cooking class was on.  The ladies who come are from all over the world.  Mostly refugees and mostly not used to cooking in firstly a kitchen and secondly with such western food. I got to sample some really great food.  The preparation of it was often very different to how I would make things, but the taste was mostly pretty amazing.

The family I have talked about before, from Uganda, go here, have given Adrian and myself quite a few giggles around the kitchen table.  I remember a day not so long ago, I was helping Taban on the computer.  Jane was in the kitchen cooking and Adrian was in the lounge with the children.  Nancy Juwa 7years old, loves to play with the hair on Adrian's arms.  She is fascinated by all the hair.  I had never noticed until she started touching it that the African people have no hair on their arms and legs. Not one, that I have seen, so Adrian is a constant source of fascination for Nancy.  Anyway Jane dishes up a plate of this really strange looking greyish stuff.  It is kind of bulb like on one end and has root kind of things on the other.  Little Gloria had been walking around gnawing on one of these and Adrian had no idea what it was.  One of the girls brings the plate to Adrian and he is freaked out, this stuff looks weird and I have to say Ade is extrememly fussy when it comes to food.  He asks one of the boys what it is, they sheepishly shrug their shoulders.  He asks the eldest daughter Mindraa Gifty (don't you just love the names) and she gives a little grin and shrugs also.  Meanwhile Jane is in the kitchen grinning.  Taban comes into the lounge and Ade asks him what it is, he starts to laugh out loud and says it is chicken.  Ade screws up his nose and says what part of the chicken and Taban says chicken gizzards.  Poor Adrian is gob smacked, there is no way he is eating chicken gizzards.  Taban and Jane and the children are rolling round laughing so hard and I come out of the room and join them on the floor when I see Adrian's face.  What a crack up!!!
My cooking job will entail, teaching the ladies the names and uses for the ingredients they will find now In the stores.  I think I will focus a little on children's lunch boxes, nice easy and quick but nutritous, food to take to school.  Some neat breakfast ideas too I think.  Last year the recipes were a little to involved, carrot cake for instance is just too overwhelming for many of the girls.  They don't read recipes for a start, all of their recipes are in their heads.  So too many things make things too difficult.  I have to remember that most of them will have little or no English speaking or reading skills, so it is challenging, but fun.  I love these girls, so much fun, very kind and so grateful to be here.  The stories I have heard of their lives, loves and losses in their homelands have changed how I think about the world.  So I am looking forward to my little foray.  If you have any good ideas I can share easily please comment I am open to all suggestions.

5 comments:

  1. Hi Kim..you made me laugh with the roast and then sealing the deal with the pudding....

    love that you are teaching cooking classes...sounds like a dream job to me.....

    thanks for taking the time to stop by Farmhouse and leaveing a comment...

    i love your blog....it is so pretty..really like the photos on the sidebar...beautiful....beautiful....

    i'll be back soon...
    kary

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  2. Do you find it strange teach them how to cook when they would have some really interesting dishes of their own. I'd be wanting them to teach me things.

    As for cooking suggestion Mmm
    What about pancakes (you can also add ingredients to make them sweet mashed banana and coconut or blueberry or have then cheesy by adding cheese)
    Quiche is another easy recipe.

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  3. Liss, I do like to try the food from all the other countries. The Asiain ladies are great cooks and we have had the best dumplings rolls etc and the African women make some fantastic stuff too. Chappati which is like flat burrito wraps really yummy and their meat dishes are great. I thought of quiches actually doing mini ones today so they could use them for lunches for the children. And I had also considered pancakes as they are so easy and good anytime really. Thanks sweetie and once again the wedding photos were great

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  4. Hey Kary,
    Thanks for the compliments likewise I enjoy your lovely home too. Thanks

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  5. i love experimenting with new cuisine. it's such a rich reflection of culture.

    and yes, i agree...that little man must go with you. he's too sweet.

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