on the job: my first day “in the field”
So, my Volunteer Club project is moving; I start a volunteer recruitment campaign in February. In order to introduce myself and put the project out in the community, I went out “in the field.” It was a little intimidating for me. While I like meeting people and can talk to just about anyone, I like […]
in the kitchen: neomonde in romania
David and I have a favorite middle eastern restaurant in Raleigh called Neomonde. With fresh pita, falafel, tabouli, hummus, moussaka and so many spicy tasty salads, who wouldn’t like it? Last Lent, on a Friday, we went Neomonde, so we were being vegetarian. Of course tomato and cucumber salad was on the list and hummus […]
in the kitchen & recipe: lazy girl’s quiche
My dear friend Gretel makes delicious quiche. She rolls out a tasty homemade crust, boils up some veggies, maybe shreds up some cheese and *voila*poftim* a beautifully, fancy delicious quiche that is the envy of all. Especially me. I have some quiche roadblocks — a) I haven’t mastered the crust yet — I’m a bit […]
news from home: catching up. . .
We had our spirits boosted today. Our phone rang. Well, actually, our computer rang. It was MAGGIE!! And the MONDAY family! What a great surprise! Maggie is our favorite 6-year-old (formerly our favorite 5-year-old). She’s awesome with a capital A. We had a bunch of catching up to do since it’s been months since we […]
about romania: mail and other relevant issues
Getting mail is awesome. Getting packages is even more awesome. I liken it to camp where you cross your fingers that your name will be called at mail call and then when it is called, there’s the excitement of an envelope or a box to open and the joy of flaunting in front of jealous […]
a few things about cold
I don’t know whether I like wet slushy snow better than light pelty snow or vice versa. While the snow is beautiful and makes everything look frosty and fresh, I shudder to think of all the trash that is buried beneath it. I’m sure we’ll see it come spring. Most Sundays, the inside of our […]
in the kitchen and recipe: lapskaus
I didn’t intend for this blog to be all about crafting and cooking. I really wanted it to bear witness to my Peace Corps adventure. But as one of my mantras in Romania is “getting back to basics” I’m going to take my current theme of cooking and crafting as variations on the theme of […]
recipe: Buttermilk Spice Cake
Here is my mom’s recipe as folks asked. Note that the times for beating the mixture are important. Overbeating makes an untasty cake. This cake goes well with a buttercream or cream cheese frosting. Enjoy! Dessert: Buttermilk Spice Cake 2¼ cups flour 1 cup granulated sugar ¾ cup brown sugar (packed) 1 tsp baking powder […]
craftiness: crocheting madness
It’s cold, icy, grey, and dreary; It’s dark by 4:30PM. Romanian reality shows aren’t helping my language or my nerves. We only have so many books. So, I’ve been crocheting. Bunches. I started an afghan on my train ride to Bucuresti back in November (a few interesting stories from that) and I finished it last […]
in the kitchen: Romanian Buttermilk Spice Cake
There are recipes that I always prefer when my mom makes them — meatballs, pot roast, and buttermilk spice cake to name a few. I don’t know what it is about these dishes, but there’s some magic mom dust that just makes them better than when I try my hand at them. But being “fara […]
