Wordless Wednesday - Chef Ethan

Ethan and I had a great time at the Kilimanjaro Cafe.

Today's cooking lesson:

make your own pizza.

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 26

Oh what a weekend it was.

As some of you may have heard,

my dearest darling husband is off to Australia

for an African mining conference.

This means he shall miss my birthday.

We had plans this summer to go to Italy to celebrate.

But the new job cancelled that.

Then we decided to spend the weekend in Victoria Falls to celebrate.

The conference cancelled that.

It is not looking to be a good birthday.

Over the summer I bought a new camera lens.

I told Scott to consider it my birthday present.

With him being away for my birthday,

he gave me my present early.

I wasn't expecting anything.

Did you think this was my happiness this week?

While I LOVE it,

it's not this week's joy.

Saturday was the last Saturday of the month.

Which means it's Dutch Reform Market Day.

Susan and I went together.

Since Scott had to work to sort out his Aussie trip,

Ethan came along.

The Dutch market is filled with....

.....stuff!

You can buy local crafts, furniture, food, clothing, jewellery....

....stuff!!!!

I wanted to get a shelf unit with baskets for the bathroom.

The guy who had them, didn't have exactly what I wanted,

so I order one.

It will be ready next week.

There was another guy with the coolest looking zebra table.

Ethan loved it.

The table had a drawer.

Ethan claimed he could put all his homework there.

No I didn't buy it.

I ordered one.

A leopard table.

I did buy a lovely necklace for myself.

Ethan even loved the market.

He was fascinated with this porcelain dog.

And while happiness could be my new iPad or necklace,

let's be honest..

Happiness is a spending a wonderful day with friends, supporting some great Zambian artists.

Seeing is Believing

Let's be honest here.

No one's really shocked that I don't cook,

right?

And hands up if you're shocked, 

that well..

I don't really do any housework.

That's what I thought.

I was so meant to live the Expat life.

And I'm not trying to sound snobbish.

That's just me.

However, 

something's been happening.

I don't know how to explain it.

In fact, 

it's a little scary....

In the past month, 

I've made dinner....

at least once a week.

Gulp!

Yes it's true.

I know.

Shocking!

But then....

even scarier....

is this....

Yes, that's me.

Ironing!

It's Sunday.

There's no housekeeper in today.

And Scott leaves tomorrow for Aussie

and needed some shirts.

Scott took the picture to document,

the first time in over 9 years,

that I've ironed!

Five Question Friday

This is my first time linking up with My Little Life and her Five Question Friday. I'm giddy!

1. Did you make any fun purchases this week?

Not yet! Hey, the week's not over yet. Tomorrow is the Dutch Reform Market. I went last month and think I came out with a scarf and some salsa! This month I have a wish list. I want one of those cool basket shelf thingies I keep seeing. Yeah, I'm sure you clearly understood that. Wait until I buy it, then I will share a picture! Asides from that, I'm told there's a woman who makes nice beaded jewellery, so am hoping to buy myself an early birthday present. I can't wait!

2. If you could go to any musical concert, what would it be?

Music concert! Wow! When was the last time I went to one? I would love to see anything live. Ok, sorry if that's a cop-out, but really, when was the last time I went to a concert? I'm a big U2 fan, so they would be one I'd love to see. But really, anyone band want to come to Lusaka? 

3. What is your least fav/ most fav house chore?

That's a joke, right? Chores? Me? That's hilarious!!! Ok, so I really don't mind doing the laundry. So I guess that would count as my favourite chore. I don't cook, but not sure if that's really my least favourite. Cleaning the bathroom! That would be the least favourite. I always made Scott do that one. Yeah, can you tell I'm enjoying the Expat life a little too much?

4. Would you prefer new appliances or clothes?

As we just moved here, and we bought a new stove and washer, I really don't need new appliances. However, the mornings here are a lot colder than I thought they would be, so I could really use some new clothes. 

5. Miracle Whip or Mayo?

We get mayo here. So, would have to stick with what we can get. Mayo!

Well this was fun. Hope you can come play along too. Will have to do this again next week.

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 25

This is Margo.

(Apparently she doesn't like getting her picture taken.)

Margo runs the tuck shop at school.

This is Robert.

He works in the tuck shop and makes a mean latte.

This is my morning latte (and today I indulged with a cookie)

Happiness is a drinking a beautiful latte at school.

Muffin Tin Meal

Hello, my name is Tima, and I've been slacking at the MTM.

I feel like I should be at Slackers Anonymous or something.

It's not that I don't like MTM, I love them. 

Better yet, Ethan loves them.

But I got a bit of a complex.

My MTM weren't as creative as some others.

And so I abandoned them.

I meant to start up again,

but I still have a few boxes to unpack,

and pictures to hang,

and school has started,

and I now feel even more of a slacker with all these excuses. 

This evening I made Ethan some pasta for dinner. 

I've got the pasta in a bowl and am about to put the sauce, 

when he comes bouncing into the kitchen,

"Can you put it in a muffin tin please?"

I'm being called out.

Today's MTM, created by Ethan, consists of pasta, yoghurt, and Ethan believes all MTM must consist of a dessert, so jelly beans. 

 

Blood Awakening - Tessa Dawn

What is more violent than Blood Destiny? More Graphic than Hidden Currents? And would make Wrath blush?

Blood Awakening by Tessa Dawn!

Blood Destiny ended with Marquis crying out in pain. His pain awoke Ciopori, who had been asleep for over 15 centuries (and you thought Sleeping Beauty slept alot).

And thus begins Blood Awakening. 

Marquis and Ciopori immediately realise they have met each other in their dreams. However, the blood moon arrives for Marquis. At first he his happy (and he's never happy) that the gods have blessed him with Ciopori. However, he soon learns the constellation does not point to her. 

And oh, how my heart broke. I went to bed shortly after reading that, and my dreams were filled with different plots on what it could all mean!

Marquis must decide if being with his destiny and live for eternity is worth loosing the one he truly loves?  Ciopori must face awakening after centuries only to wish she had never awoken. And then there's Salvadore, the Dark One. He seeks revenge on Marquis for the death of his brother, Valentine.

I have goosebumps just thinking about it all!!!

How many more days until April 15th, 2012? That's when Blood Possession is released. :)

Writer's Workshop

 10 Lessons your child could teach you.

This weekend, Ethan and I had a great conversation about love. And while Mama Kat has asked for 10 lessons, Ethan provided us with 7.

Last Christmas we had a cookie exchange party at our house. One of Ethan's classmates came over. This was the first time she had been to our house, and Ethan was thrilled to see her. He gave her a tour of the house, which included his bedroom, where he closed the door. He emerged out of the bedroom, holding her hand, a big smile on his face and announced, "We are married."


Lesson #1 - When you kiss someone on the lips, it means you are married.


Throughout the party, Ethan made sure she was enjoying himself. She was the only one from his class to come. All the other mates were ones he had baby group, or playdates with. She didn't know the other children. Ethan made sure everyone was nice to her and played with her.


Lesson #2 - Always make sure your loved one is happy.


In January we went to a birthday party for my mate's daughter. She turned 2. She wanted to give Ethan a hug and kiss after the party. Ethan was offended. "I already have a girlfriend. She cannot kiss me!"


Lesson #3 - Remain faithful, even when others are throwing themselves at you.


While in Canada over both, Christmas and the summer, Ethan would tell anyone who cared that he had a girlfriend.


Lesson #4 - Be proud of your girl/boyfriend.


We are now in Lusaka. We will not see this  girl again. (insert sad face) Ethan was playing with a lovely little girl the other day. She asked Ethan for a kiss. He refused. When I asked him why, he replied he already has a girlfriend. When I pointed out that she's still in Dar and he's here, he explained to me that "just because we won't see her, doesn't mean I don't still love her".


Lesson #5 - Out of sight is not out of mind.


Lesson #6 - You cannot jump into one relationship after another.


Ethan wanted me to know, however, that even though he loves this girl, he is able to love me more.


Lesson #7 - Always love your mother!

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 24

Today was the first day of school.

I was a lot more nervous than I have been before.

This year Ethan and I are starting in a new school,

in a new city,

in a new country.

While I've had orientation for the past week and gotten to meet some colleagues,

Ethan hasn't met any class mates yet.

But that didn't stop him from being excited.

And,

as usual,

I was worried over nothing.

Ethan had a great day.

Happiness is a successful first day of school.

Shades of Gray - Joleene Naylor

I am back to my vamps! Boy did I miss them. But this one was a little on the slow side.

Shades of Gray begins with Katelina discovering the body of her FWB. His throat was ripped out. She then gets a mysterious phone call telling her to meet "him" (mysterious caller) at night in some random place if she'd like to learn who murdered him. And so begins her adventure.

Katelina is now thrown in the middle of a war between two vampire covens. Jorick (the mysterious caller) is a vampire (it takes her awhile to figure it out) gets her involved. She is torn from her home (she cannot go back as the rival coven are now after her). It is not made clear why he chose to contact her. 

The storyline moves slowly. While there is a lot of action, it takes time for things to unravel. You are also left with questions that either take forever to get answered or never get answered. Although I did enjoy the humour behind Katelina and Jorick's relationship.

52 Weeks of Happiness - Week 23

Saturday morning we went to Sugarbush.

It's a little (large) farm with a shop and coffee shop.

And beautiful horses.

Did I mention there was a shop?

Of course, I couldn't resist.

Well... truth be told,

I needed a black bag.

Yes, I went there.

NEEDED.

Happiness is a new black leather bag.

Another Lovely Sunday

Our first Sunday in Lusaka was spent shopping for household goods. Last Sunday, was a perfect Sunday, spent with great friends and good food. This Sunday was another fabulous day.

New teacher orientation began on Thursday. They've been showing us around Lusaka, which means taking us shopping. This morning began with a trip to the Arcades Market. This is held in the parking lot of the Arcades Shopping Centre every Sunday.

At noon we headed south to the Lilayi Lodge. 

We had a lovely roast lunch and Ethan made some friends and played around.

There's even a little "island" that the kids discovered.

We then went for a little game drive. We didn't expect to see anything, but were pleasantly surprised to find a few friends.

If weekends like these, life in Lusaka will be great.