Swimmin’ wif the leeches and other miscellaneous tidbits
japra | Sep 05, 2007 | Comments 2
A huge, hollow tree in Savill Garden, England. I’m trying out the new lens (Canon 28-105mm) I bought to replace the one that came with my camera (Canon 18-55mm). The latter suffered an untimely, accidental death at the top of the Aiguille du Midi in France last month.British schools started this week. And don’t the kids look nice in their uniforms! They wait at the bus stops in their navy blues/dark grays. Boys in dress pants, white shirt, school tie, dress shoes, and blazer. Girls, in an adorable skirt or dress pants, white shirt, school tie, vest (on a younger girl), dress shoes and blazer. No underwear, midrifts, or bums in sight. No hip-huggers with thongs or extra flesh oozing over. No micro-minis or too-tight tops. Ah, I’m sure they wear all that on the weekend, but during the week, they’re a sight to see.
And speaking of uniforms, Mr. DJ has started wearing the businessman’s uniform: suit, dress shirt, dress shoes, no tie. Business casual, I guess. When he goes to a client site, he wears a tie.
Yesterday, Roxi had a field trip to a nearby lake. The kids sailed, windsurfed (or tried to as there wasn’t any wind), kayaked, and built a raft. Wasn’t it cold, you were wondering? Yes, yesterday morning we could see our breaths. The kids wore wetsuits, but Roxi said it was still quite chilly. It did warm up to the mid-70s later in the afternoon. Oh well. At least it didn’t rain. And at least she didn’t bring home one of the gross leeches. Ew. Yuck. Blech.
After school, Roxi had an audition for the middle school musical. She will probably find out about that in a few days. Next week, she starts drama club (three days a week after school), riding (once a week after school), and voice lessons (because I still haven’t found an appropriate theatre school for her yet).
As for me, I started on a few art pieces outside of my journal (don’t get excited, it wasn’t jewelry!). I hope this means I’m over my block. Also, I am trying to figure out what we’re going to do for our vacation next month. If the weather holds, I hope it means some good hikes along the coast. Oh, and I’m trying to get used to my new camera lens.
Finally, a request: does anyone have a good recipe for salsa? We like it pretty clean and fresh tasting, almost like a saucy pico de gallo. I am afraid that we were terribly spoiled in Texas. We could have really good Mexican food whenever we wanted. I can make the food–and eat it with tortillas made in Ireland (haha)–but I want a really good, restaurant-quality salsa recipe. I can certainly look one up online, but I am wondering if anyone might have one to share?
PS Thanks for posting your comments. I started this blog so family and friends could keep up with what we’re doing, and so that I wouldn’t have to wonder if I told someone the same story three times in a row. The one thing I didn’t think about was that I would miss out on half the conversation! Blogging with no feedback is like talking to yourself. So, if you’re shy about posting your reply, just email me. I still have the same address.
About the Author: JaPRA is an expat Texan living in England with her husband (Mr. DJ), their 17-year old daughter (Roxi), and their dog Trudy.
You’re welcome. :) I feel the same way about comments. I absolutely adore when, out of the blue, I do some random post and get lots of comments.
Another way to know you have regular readers is to install a stat counter. Go to http://www.statcounter.com. Checking out the “keyword” stat which lets you know how people accidentally stumble upon your blog is a hoot.
Regarding the salsa, I know exactly the kind your’re talking about. I used to order homemade tamales from a lady who made the most amazing pico/salsa but, alas, it was the 70′s and I’ve never had any as good since.
Here’s a delicious recipe from a co-worker though it’s not the pico-ish variety you crave (below that is a spicy corn dip):
3 cans mild Rotel
4 cans tomato sauce
1-2 Serrano Peppers
1 large onion, cut in 8ths
5-6 bunches cilantro, leaves only
lemon juice
garlic powder
salt
2 envelopes Avocado pulp (2 envelopes per pkg in produce section)
8 oz sour cream
Salsa:
In a blender, process 2 cans Rotel, 2 cans tomato sauce, 1 pepper (or ½ ), onion, about 2 tsp salt, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 Tbsp lemon juice and 4-5 bunches cilantro leaves. Pour half of mixture into a bowl (to make green sauce). Add 2 cans tomato sauce and more spices to taste to blender mixture. You may add more cilantro to taste. Pour into a bowl and enjoy!
Green Sauce:
Return the first mixture to the blender. Add avocado, 1-2 bunches cilantro leaves, more spices to taste and 6 oz. sour cream. Add another 1-2 tsp lemon juice.* Process then taste. Add more sour cream as needed*.
* You do not want to taste the sour cream flavor (or lemon juice), just use for “consistency & color”
[the salt and lemon juice helps preserve the sauces and add some flavor.]
Corn Dip:
Spicy Corn Dip
1 C. Sour Cream
1 C. Mayonnaise
3 Cans (11 oz.) of Mexi-Corn drained
1 Can (4 oz.) of chopped green chilies
6 green onions (chopped)
8 oz shredded cheese (I usually use the Mexican blend)
Garlic powder to taste
Cumin to taste
Optional: chopped jalepenos
Mix everything together and let sit overnight or for a few hours in the refrigerator.
Now, that’s one helluva comment right there isn’t it? :)
Laurie–Yes, ma’am, that is one heck of a comment! Thank you :-)I’m going to try your red sauce recipe (though the green sauce makes me think about Ninfa’s green stuff and now I’m hungry for that too). I may just chop up some extra tomatoes and onions to put in at the end. No Rotel here (gasp!) so I’ll have to figure out a substitute. Thanks for the recipes!