1. Celebration – Madonna

2. Meet me halfway – Black Eyed Peas

3.Heavy Cross – The Gossip

4.Cowboy Casanova – Carrie Underwood

5.Obsessed – Mariah Carey

6.Bad Romance – Lady Gaga

7.Nada -Zóe

8.Russian Roulette – Rihanna

9.Did it again – Shakira

10. I gotta felling – Black Eyed peas

Alison’s cousin Chloe came to stay for a couple of days. Unfortunately I was too tired from managing them and scooping poop to take very many photos. We went to Wild Wild Wet on Thursday, and the girls had a swell time. On Friday, they presented me with a jointly-signed note saying that they would like to have their nails painted, please. So I looked around on the Internet and found someone to come to the house to paint all three girls’ nails, and give me a pedicure as well.

It was Zoe's first time painting nails. She kept moving around and smudging the paint, but the manicurist very patiently reapplied it for her at least three times. She chose the colour herself! The scrapes on her fingers are from Wild Wild Wet.

Alison and her bright pink nails. Her toes are the same colour as Zoe's fingernails.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of Chloe’s nails. She chose a very deep purple which I also chose for my toes. But I’m not going to show you my toes so you’ll just have to imagine the colour!

This quote section will be updated with new quotes and moved forward every time Zoe says something funny.

Its Dad and tonight you monkeys really cracked me up. As amazing as this will sound in 20 years, you love to do tasks.. major ones.. together. Tonight, we cleaned one room and by we I mean you three. I simply point you in a direction and you love to just bang out work. After the room was spotless, you cleaned the basement. After that, you picked up all the fall decorations in the house. After this, you cleaned the movie room which was pretty trashed.

Hows this work? How can this possibly be?

Dad simply calls you together and lets you know what the opportunity is. Tonight, you wanted to take out the Christmas ornaments and decorations. I helped you realize that we couldn’t do that until the house was clean and the fall decorations put away. After this, you really start to execute. Alec just starts working. Alec is quick to point out how hard he is working, but also helps out his brothers and sisters. Alec is such a fantastic role model for his brother and sister. Owen grabs the highest, the heaviest, the oddest shaped things. He frequently will go through super bursts cleaning up really fast. This usually creates more of a mess than helps, but he is a good worker. Zoe is steady Eddie. She will work consistently for a while .. but slowly.. ever so slowly.. she will start to lose interest. This yields dilly-dally, then avoidance, then she disappears. This will usually re-engage the foreman. Alec will either have a stern talk with her, threaten her, or tell on her. Tonight it was a threat. After I asked him to calm down I informed Zoe she didnt have to work, but she would not get snacks and popcorn for the movie  later. Seemed like an easy choice for Zoe.

Within 1 hour, the entire house is clean. While you diligently work to surprise Mom and to set up for the fun of opening Christmas gifts, I work in other areas. The net result always amazes me. After our session tonight, we all sat down and talked about teamwork and family and then we all went to watch a movie. I am pretty sure the boys shared their snacks and popcorn with their snackless sister!!!  I’m not sure if the realize that this encourages Zoe to be lazy. A better question is if Zoe is lazy knowing she can manipulate her brothers later!?

I love you Team Martell and sometimes you really act like a fantastic TEAM!

Yours truly, zonked out as I wait for Chris B and Chris J to finish their physicals at the doctor this morning. After I woke up, I drank coffee and ate cake at the doctor’s office. This is the hard life of an American in São Paulo. (Photo courtesy of CJ)

“Between true friends even water drunk together is sweet enough.” — Zimbabwean proverb

I am so looking forward to tomorrow’s Thanksgiving feast with my sister, family, and my friends from Zimbabwe. I say “friends” although I do not know my friend Prosper’s wife and children very well at all — yet. I’ve known Prosper for a couple of years, since he fled his home country under persecution and worked for two years to fight for asylum for himself and for his family. They finally joined him this summer.

I look forward to celebrating my first African feast with them, sharing in this American tradition of Thanksgiving, and perhaps become true friends over the years ahead of us.

Children in Zimbabwe pick up corn off the street (NYT)

Some interesting facts about Zimbabwe:

1.The country is bankrupt. President Robert Mugabe spent too much money fighting with the Democratic Republic of Congo and ruined farming in his the nation by forcing successful white farmers off their land and giving it to black friends of is who didn’t know what they were doing.

2. Earlier this year, the worthless 100-trillion-dollar Zimbabwean banknotes were being sold to foreign tourists as souvenirs for $2 each.

3. Although the government is incredibly corrupt now, Mugabe does leave a legacy of education in his country. The literacy rate is estimated at 76 percent, thanks to the free education put in place by Mugabe in his early years.

Victoria Falls

4. Average life expectancy is between 37 and 45.7 years, depending on what you read.

5. The official annual inflation rate rose from 32 percent in 1998, to 133 percent in 2004, 585 percent in 2005, and approached 1000 percent in 2006, although private sector estimates put the figure much higher, according to a group called Sokwanele (“Enough is Enough”).

6. 15 percent of the population has HIV/AIDS.

7. Zimbabwe’s infant mortality rate has increased 20 percent over the past 20 year, Reuters reports.

8. Almost 5,000 people died from cholera last year, mainly because of the country’s economic troubles.

9. Victoria Falls, one of the most beautiful sights on earth, is in Zimbabwe.

10. A 2008 UN study found that 7 in 10 people had eaten either nothing or only a single meal the day before, according to The New York Times.

11. The cornmeal-based dietary staple of Zimbabwe is also the national dish, called sadza. Sadza to the Zimbabweans is like rice to the Chinese or pasta to Italians, according to Food in Every Country.

12. Zimbabweans eat with their right land and it is considered impolite to eat with the left (even if you are left-handed). It is also polite to leave a little food on your plate to show that you have been sufficiently fed.

How can help:

• Friends of mine in Philadelphia, Debrianna Obama and Peter Harris, have started a school in Zimbabwe. The Kubatsirana Primary School educates and feeds 200 children in grades 1-6. A $100 donation to the Kubatsirana (which means “helping each other” in Shona) sends a child to school for one year.

Child being fed at school by ZOE

• ZOE Ministry has been desperately trying to help feed orphans since the government fell apart. I have traveled with ZOE (to Rwanda) and know this organization to be doing the right thing by orphans in many African countries. A recent report from Zimbabwe to ZOE: “Things are worse than ever, but you should know that the ZOE food is really helping a lot of children. There’s almost no teaching going on in the schools, but food is being prepared by headmasters, and children are coming for a daily meal.”

Caleb, Zoe and I took a nice hike today. We found a nice trail a little outside of Ferndale CA, right past an abandoned Naval Base. The day was perfect, totally sunny, no wind or other people. We hiked down from the parking lot, it was maybe a mile of switchbacks, way easier going down than coming up. But we had a lot of fun, got sand in our shoes, and burned a few calories.

Today, I was taking Zoe to school and we were going back and forth with our usual “you’re silly” and “no, you’re silly” as we sometimes do now. I said, “You’re the only silly one in the car today, Zoe.” She said something about being silly in the car, then she said, “You’re cracking me up, Mommy.”

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

Eigentlich sollte die Kindergartenzeit ja eine Zeit voller schöner Erinnerungen sein. Aber manchmal ist einfach der Wurm drin.

Da geht der Tag schon ziemlich daneben los mit einer kleinen Begrüssungskeilerei.

Während ich dann bei der Arbeit gesessen und mich gegrämt habe (Warum greifen die Erzieherinnen nicht ein, Hätte ICH mehr eingreifen sollen.) haben die Kinder schon wieder zusammengespielt.

So bin ich dann also heute Mittag von einem Gummiball namens Finn begrüsst worden, der sich gefreut hat, dass sein Freund Chrissi mit ihm spielen möchte. Amai freute sich ebenfalls ,weil sie von Freundin Zoe eingeladen wurde. Gut – das bedeudet für mich: Warten bis alle Eltern angekommen sind, um die Kinder abzuholen und abzuklären, ob es überhaupt klappt…

Damit ging das Drama los:

Zoe´s Mama ist fies erkältet und wollte sich lieber auskurieren – kein Thema: Zoe zu uns. Das wiederum hat Zoe nicht eingesehen und erstmal ein kurzes Theater gemacht. Dann hat sie aber eingesehen, dass es der Mama nicht so toll geht und sie bei uns genauso gut spielen kann wie bei sich daheim.

Dann kam der A. der gerne wollte, dass Amai bei ihm spielt. A. liebt Amai heiss und innig – leider zeigt sie ihm die kalte Schulter. Schon bei der Tagesmutter war das so. Sie ist nicht unfreundlich zu ihm, aber sehr reserviert. Dabei hat er soooooo treue Auge. *Schwiegermutterliebling* Es flossen Tränen bei A. – die ich dann aber mit guten Worten trocknen konnte.

Mittlerweile kam Finn an, weil Freund Chrissi nicht mehr mit ihm spielen wollte (warum auch immer) und nun hatte ich eine glückliche Amai und einen unglücklichen Finn. Finn steigert sich sehr gerne in sein Unglück rein und war tatsächlich UNTRÖSTLICH.

Schliesslich stand die Mutter von A. noch vor mir. Sie fragte mich, ob Amai heute mit A. spielen möchte…gleiches Spiel wie vorher: A. steht mit einem riesen Herzbild vor mir und heult, Mama von A. kriegt feuchte Augen und weils so schön ist, heule ich gleich mit.

Finn heult, weil natürlich mittlerweile alle anderen Kinder verabredet sind und ich mache das Einzige was man in diesem fast hoffnungslosen  Fall nur noch tun kann: Ich besteche ihn mit einem Kinderfilm. Einzig Amai ist guter Dinge und lässt sich auch von Wettertief “Ludl” nicht unterkriegen, dass mit Sturmböen und Schneeregen über uns wegfegt.

Entsprechend dem Unwetter draussen war also die Stimmung im Auto (Zoe musste nochmal schnell heim und ihre Barbie holen) und Amai musste unbedingt singen “Heute ist ein schöner Tag, weil ich Besuuuch kriege” – das hat ihr einen Anraunzer von mir und mehrere unfreundliche Wörter von Ihrem Bruder eingebracht. Hat sie aber nicht weiter gestört.

So sind wir also durch Sturm, Wind und Schnee gen Heimat gefahren und dort “oh Glück oh Freude” war eine Handynummer auf unserem Telefon als verpasster Anruf angezeigt.

Freund Chrissi wollte doch mit Finn spielen.

Der Nachmittag war gerettet und obwohl VIER Kinder hier drinnen gespielt haben, gab es keinen Streit, mal haben die vier gemeinsam gespielt und mal getrennt. Es sind keine Tränen geflossen und das Kinderzimmer ist aufgeräumter als vorher! Ich habe meine komplette Bügelwäsche weggebügelt und der Spillie-Papa hat in aller Ruhe unser Badezimmerlicht repariert.

Eins der absoluten Lieblingsspiele der Kinder wenn Besuch da ist “ACHTUNG GESCHENKE TIPP” ist übrigens von Cranium Hullaboo! Das ist ein Spiel das monatelang verschmäht im Schrank lag und jetzt JEDESMAL gespielt wird. Es ist ähnlich wie Twister und mischt die Meute gut auf….

Jeder noch ein Brot auf die Hand  – entsetztes Feststellen, dass es gar nichts zu schnuckeln gab (vor lauter Spielen vergessen danach zu fragen) und schon war der Tag vorbei.

Schön war es und Spass hat es gemacht – trotz des schlechten Start!

Nun muss ich Amai nur nochmal die heisse Liebe von A. näherbringen, vielleicht spielt sie ja mal eine Runde mit ihm.

Liebe Grüße

Eure Spillie-Mama

This evening, while I was out with Zoe for a haircut, I received a call from Josh telling me that he couldn’t find the air con remote control. Of course, when he asked his sons, one couldn’t tell him and the other one is too young to talk, so …. he gotta search for it all over the room.

Zoe and I prayed that the remote control would be found and that Josh would not be upset with Zane.

After this prayer, this conversation surfaced :

Me : Zoe, when you pray, God ALWAYS answers your prayers.

Zoe : Of course! Because you never pray. Always I pray. Of course God only hears my prayer and only answers me ! You pray also lah!

Duhhhhh ……

hahahahaa ……

If you think of life as like a big pie, you can try to hold the whole pie and kill yourself trying to keep it, or you can slice

it up and give some to the people around you, and you still have plenty left for yourself.

Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.My name is Zoë and I am seventeen. I live in New York but I have the undying need to get out there and help change this world! I will be going to Romania for a month or two (Depending on how much money I have..!) to care for orphans.

The orphan problem in Romania is rampant. Orphanages are very understaffed, and that’s where volunteers come in!

Oftentimes an orphanage is just a building filled with hundreds of babies and children, who are forced to lie in cots all day and night because nobody is there to care for them. Please help me make a huge difference in their lives by bringing them the love and care they need to survive.

This is the exact program I will be doing, if you’d like more information.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

CLICK HERE TO HELP ME!

…Any little thing helps! I will send a personal thank you to everyone who helps and will keep you updated on my trip using this blog.When I will be leaving, what I’m doing while I’m there, pictures of my adventures and of the children and friends I make there, etc.

Thank you all!

If you think of life as like a big pie, you can try to hold the whole pie and kill yourself trying to keep it, or you can slice it up and give some to the people around you, and you still have plenty left for yourself.

Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow.My name is Zoë and I am seventeen. I live in New York but I have the undying need to get out there and help change this world! I will be going to Romania for a month or two (Depending on how much money I have..!) to care for orphans.

The orphan problem in Romania is rampant. Orphanages are very understaffed, and that’s where volunteers come in! Oftentimes an orphanage is just a building filled with hundreds of babies and children, who are forced to lie in cots all day and night because nobody is there to care for them. Please help me make a huge difference in their lives by bringing them the love and care they need to survive.

 

This is the exact program I will be doing, if you’d like more information.

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.

CLICK HERE TO HELP ME …Any little thing helps! I will send a personal thank you to everyone who helps (…If anyone helps!) and will keep you updated on my trip…When I will be leaving, and, if you want, I can send you pictures once I am back home from the adventure! (Of course if you don’t want to be bothered that’s fine too!)

♫ : Zoé

Bajo El Cielo Inmortal Te Decimos Adiós…Fantasma De Mi Corazón

Just so you know, us Rafters bloggers got skillz. See evidence below:

You don’t mess with the Hornets.

(Apologies to Muggsy Bogues, who contributed to the beatdown above, but is not pictured.)

Heute war die Bude voll….rappelvoll mit Kindern!

Amai hatte Zoe da und Finn hat sich mit seiner “Valiebten”, der Emelie verabredet. Großes Theater im Kindergarten, als Emelie nicht mit zu uns wollte. Tränen über Tränen. Finn steigert sich sehr gerne in sein Unglück rein. Untröstlich sind wir bei uns angekommen – nur die Aussicht auf einen Kinderfilm konnte sein gebrochenes Herz trösten. Aber die Tränen rollten weiter – alle waren doof, mit keinem wollte er sonst spielen und so weiter….

Keine zehn Minuten später stand Emelie auf der Matte – sie hatte es sich nochmal überlegt.

Und Finn ?

Heult! –  weil er nun doch nicht mit Emelie spielen wollte… ARGH

Aber schlussendlich hatte alle vier gemeinsam Spass und ich hatte im Wohnzimmer ein ganz exquisites Programm vor meinem Bügebrett! Der Chaostrupp präsentierte: “Dornröschen war ein schönes Kind” als Uraufführung - sowie mehrere Runden “Bärchen Bärchen brumm einmal”.

…und ich vergess vor lauter Bügelwäsche das knipsen…jetzt mal ehrlich, früher wäre mir das nicht passiert.

Süss war übrigens auch als Finn heute Früh im Kindergarten auf seine “Valiebte” getroffen ist. Er war noch mit Schuh anziehen beschäftigt und Emelie marschierte schon Richtung Gruppe. Da ruft er hinter ihr her: “Denk dran Emelie, wir heiraten nachher!” Da kommt doch der alte Jäger und Sammler durch, hoffentlich haut er nicht mal eins mit einem Stock über und schleift sie in seine Höhle…..

Liebe Grüße

Eure Spillie-Mama

I love this little girl so much

Zoe: “Mama!  Want Cookie, please?”

Mommy: “Oh, you want a cookie?”

Zoe: “Okay!”

Do you remember your grandmother’s ice cream machine? A big wooden tub that encased a small can, which was hand-cranked (the kids lined up for that one) or electric. She placed ice and rock salt around the metal can inside the wooden enclosure. Why salt? To make the ice colder and freeze the delicious blueberry (or whatever) ice cream was inside.

As we settle into our first long winter of deep snows, one ski resort is already open. We anticipate much plowing will be done and also, the HOA here is salt-happy. What happens when your dog goes out on ice and snow saturated with rock salt? Her paws freeze and she limps until the hurt is gone, then when she arrives home, even after toweling off she licks her paws.

There are two solutions: booties, which most dogs hate and I can’t imagine doing that first thing in the morning; and a new trick we’ve found out from neighbors, paw wax. We can’t find it at the local pet stores so had to get it online, it should arrive later this week. Looks like it’s going to be a very cold but sunny, snow-free week so if we stick to the trails instead of driveways and roads, she should be OK.

So, what do you get for the pup in northern climes? Try paw wax. We ordered a brand called Mushers and will let you know how it works. Zoe didn’t understand why it took me so long to get ready this morning in 13 degree Farenheit weather. It was the boots! Coat, hat, gloves, but my feet were protected by socks and boots and hers aren’t, at least until later this week. Oh, I gave away her grosgrain ribbon jingle bell collar to a pup last year, so we got her a green velvet one with golden bells. She has to be bathed and groomed before we take her photo with that collar!

I’m still trying to find a capon. There’s a new farmers’ market in walking distance, indoors. I bought a “culotte” of lamb, that is frozen. I’m going to thaw it out later in the week, marinate it in good olive oil, garlic, rosemary and perhaps some balsamic vinegar and we’ll grill it. It’s local lamb. I also bought a fresh loaf of artisan cranberry-orange bread that I immediately wrapped and froze for either cranberry trifle or bread pudding. It may become the base of a Thanksgiving dessert.

I made pizza last night, from scratch of course. It was very good and we still have an entire pizza left over to heat up another night. I wanted to make roasted winter squash soup today but may run out of time as I’ve been cleaning and doing loads and loads of laundry, winter jackets and all. Fabric softener in the wash seems to make a difference. Right now inside is 23% humidity, a desert-like environment in which skin dries and cracks and electricity crackles every time I touch something or take off a sweater. Let’s hope this helps.

Thanks for tuning in to the early winter edition of Dee’s mountain cooking blog! Cheers, Dee

What's that, jie jie ?

It's quite heavy !

"Bob the Builder, can we fix it? Fix what ? The striped white tiger ?"

Now, this hat is MINE !! (running away from jie jie)

See, I know how to remove it myself !

It still looks better on your head. It fits!

May I have your hat back , please ?

This helmet is bought for $2 from Zoe’s favourite play school teacher. So many other stuffs to buy and she chose this helmet!