Now That is Love

Angie has been making some Christmas treats to share with neighbors on Friday. One thing she has been making is candied peanuts. Most people when they try them say, "Wow! Those are sweet!" If you've ever had dessert at a Chinese buffet you know the feeling ... only in reverse. In the same way you think, "Wow, that isn't sweet at all" they think our desserts are TOO sweet.

After boiling the nuts go into the oven and finally into a decorative container!
Here is the beautiful chef in action. You would appreciate how wonderful she is being to our neighbors when you know how hot it is in our kitchen.
This thermometer was moved near the stove. The big number (85.8) is the temperature outside at 2:50pm. The number at the bottom (88.3 and rising) is the temp in the kitchen. You can notice the humidity is low at only 71%. I like to think my sweat dripping into the food adds a certain something that would be lacking otherwise.
Here is the recipe for anyone interested in trying them out:

Candied Peanuts

2 cups raw peanuts

1 c sugar

½ c water

red food coloring (if desired)

combine in heavy saucepan, boil, stirring until dry. Pour onto baking sheet. Bake 300 for 15 minutes or until crunchy.

I'm an Addict (or Broken-Hearted with no Internet)

Our internet at home has been out the past two days. One thing that it makes me realize is that I'm addicted to the internet. We came out to a restaurant with wi-fi for supper and can't say we really missed any critical e-mails or anything. Its just that you know you can't check. Lame I guess.

It has shown me, too, that just because I know the rules in our culture about expressing displeasure and confrontation it doesn't mean I always follow them. I've let more than a few uncomfortable people have it over the past two days after they suggested I just wait 'til tomorrow and maybe it will start working on its own.

I did try to explain to Caleb this is not a symptom of living in a foreign country. I have gotten exactly the same reaction from utility workers here that I would've gotten in KY (with the exception of Craig Medford, of course). They just sort of shrug and say, "Sorry" with no feeling. I'd threaten to take my business elsewhere but just like the US the girl behind the counter couldn't care less if I buy phone and internet service from them.

So, for the time being we're disconnected. But at least I can still text Twitter updates ;-)

Blow Pops

Since we live in SE Asia these stick-free suckers are invalid. Probably all the gum was eaten by ants already...

Santa & Baby

We had been searching for a Santa to meet up with and share our gift list. Finally we ran into this helper: the first Santa we've met who doesn't speak any English. It seems he also didn't get the message about: 1) handing out peppermint candy, 2) asking what the kids want for Christmas, 3) saying HoHoHo. Plus he was wearing makeup ... and not the rosy cheek kind!!

Another interesting thing is that poor Mrs. Claus has been thrown over in our area in favor of some tart in a short skirt named "Santarina" which I think is a bit lacking in the family values department. Mrs. Claus deserved better but probably has an even more golden parachute than Mrs. Tiger Woods since Santa has more secrets to keep.
Hudson and Bethany got to get on stage for some kind of game and Hudson won first prize. The amazing prize was a white dish from the store's recent anniversary. Every kid's dream gift.

Speaking of which the kids went to a church Christmas party on Saturday that featured a gift exchange. We knew things were not as we thought when only two gifts said: BOY or GIRL. Our two. Hudson got a flowery, purple CD holder and Bethany took home a hand towel. Good thing we're here, I guess, so we can straighten out the world on the stuff they're supposed to do to celebrate X-Mas ... oops!! I mean CHRISTmas.

Eating Isn't Always Easy

Now sometimes people come here and love the food. Sometimes they don't. Some folks want only local food, some folks don't want any. Some of it depends on travel experience. Sometimes I've been places and gotten sick then I would eating only deep fried things reasoning nothing could survive a deep frier! Our guys did pretty well, considering all we tried throwing at them.

Every once in a while we wanted to throw in something normal--like McDonalds ... even though most people who eat a Big Mac here say they haven't had one in the USA in years! People always love that drinks here come in their own sack--take that Global Warming!
We had some degree of difficulty getting Tom enough meat. Here there is no such thing as a Triple Cheese or a Double Quarter Pounder, although we did find out BK has Double Whoppers. We also found out that you can get a six egg omelet if you stick with it and explain your request a few times.
We ended up at TGIFriday's but that mostly came from people who live in Asia! Everyone did enjoy it, though.
The most exciting time is when you roll up to someone's house or to a party or wedding. Its like food roulette. Can you eat it? This breakfast went OK. Some rice, some bread, and coffee. Easy!
Other times, like at a wedding we attended, its not so good. Only on the way home did I realize I had eaten lung (I thought it was liver). Yuck.
Under pressure to eat? Check out this awesome move. Nick glances around ... and then dumps his fried chicken onto Tom's plate!!
Check out that smile as he realizes he only needs to eat the oranges since he knows he can throw the rice away. Smooth, very smooth.

Birthday Party

We had a big birthday party for our combined birthdays on Thursday night. We ordered some pizza and everyone got some gifts.
We've been pretty well spoiled by having so much stuff come at once!! Big thanks to Dave, Nick, and Tom who sacrificed all their luggage space for us.
The kids were happy to get some Jacob Shaw original-design shirts. I recommend them as great Christmas gifts but he is very busy so maybe its too late to order.
Clue was also a pretty big hit.
And we ended it all with ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins! It was a great time. Thanks to everyone who gave to make it all so great. We appreciate it all so much!!

Ice Cream Man

Dave Cash can eat some ice cream. I mean the man can eat some ice cream! Check this out, he actually bought TWO scoops at Baskin Robbins. That is committed. He has dutifully been trying as much as he can and for his spirit to plow on, we applaud him.
Angie having a little mint chocolate chip while Hudson holds court in the background. The BR31 here has a new Peppermint Patty flavor which was pretty awesome. Now, it may not actually be new ... I don't think I have eaten Baskin Robbins since Randy was here last year.
Nick says Tom has eaten more carbs this week than any other week in years!! He is doing great as well. Sorry no pix of Nick. We ate this about 9:30pm and he was nearly asleep at the counter!

Happy Birthday Bob (aka American Chopper)

Little Birthday Girl

Bethany's 9th birthday was a day full of excitement from her chocolate bread breakfast ...

To the end with its loads of presents!
She got some great Barbie stuff.
How about that smile?? She is a better gift-receiver than her daddy.
We enjoyed getting to spend the special day with some extended Aunts and Uncles.
Courtney giving it her best "Hozsyourmomanem?" Thats how they roll in Mississippi!
B was a bit excited about getting an iPod. Lots of space for Hannah Montana on there. She said she just needs to "get some videos on it for road trips."
One friend came over and the donkey received his tail back.
Well, maybe more than one.
Maybe more than 10, really.
All in all a great day with a two language HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Birthday Girl

A glimpse of our birthday girl reading her cards. She is a model of self-control, saving her cards that came in the mail for the big day. You can see our Christmas decorations taking shape in the background.

We got her this necklace and a few other goodies.
And a look at how everyone measures up to Mom this year:

Cool Guys

We'll get some Angie birthday pictures up tomorrow.  Just wanted some families to be able to see how their guys fared their first day.  We started off with some tasty breakfast.  Although we quickly found out these adventurers went down and had some food with NO HELP at all around 4am.  Quick studies these fellows are!

After breakfast we went for worship and then back out for more food.  This time for some "fried rice noodles" as Ann calls then.  The fish eaters joined us in thinking Craig's mom is a bit off regarding the fish curry. We had them throw in some extra chilis today, so it was extra good.  Pictured is Tom dropping in some squid.  We never got a good shot of the tentacles going in since he was gobbling them up too fast!

After eating we went to a local Christmas party we had heard about.  It featured some traditional dancing and lots of singing.  And afterward they had some snacks, too!

Lest we forget, at one point there broke out a sort of line dance that quickly sucked Nick as (since he was sitting on the aisle).  He is quite the dancer ... sorry the pictures weren't any better.

Traveling Dudes

We did get our guys in last night around 3:15am. Angie and Ann met at the hotel and got them settled for a few hours. Now we're preparing ourselves to meet them for a ... YAWN ... 8 am breakfast. Time to get some spice on for ole Dave.

Also, for those wondering there is some problem with the thing that shows our Twitter updates (aka Tweets) and so some other person's were showing up in our blog box. That is bad since maybe you've noticed some people put things on the internet we don't agree with. Therefore, the box is gone until they can get it fixed. Just tried again and its still weirded out. You can follow us on Twitter or just check there if you like that sort of thing www.twitter.com/craigandangie

Mountain Dew

When we were in Singapore a couple of weeks ago, we found Mountain Dew! First we found some in a machine and later in a store. Not sure how we looked to the employees when buying ALL their Mountain Dew but we know how we looked to the kids!!

Seriously?

Given the option, would you get your hair done at a place called Ooops! Me neither. Also, don't ask me why hair SALONS are called SALOONS here, they just are.

Mall Snow