Scratch That! Cooking Adventures in Africa

"What do you eat over there?"  It's a question we are constantly asked in various forms by folks from home.  We often get groups of Americans or other westerners coming through Mokhotlong on mission teams.  After any amount of time here, they quickly discover the limited selection of groceries.  Our standard answer is that we eat like most Americans do, well the Americans who cook that is, with a few modifications based on our circumstances.  So I thought I'd give all of you interested blog readers a window into what goes on our dinner table on any given night.  Welcome to my new series, "Scratch That! Cooking Adventures in Africa" where I will share details about cooking for a family of five in the mountains of Lesotho.

I typically make up our meal plans on a monthly basis.  I'm not quite organized enough to just make up a few monthly plans and rotate them.  Actually I'm not sure if it's a lack of organization.  It's more the idea of something so regimented that turns me off.  Sometimes I have a hankering for a particular meal and might want to make it more regularly than every couple of months.  I incorporate many of our favorites into my monthly plan.  We almost always have a pizza night once a month and invite our neighbors or some other friends.  I try to include a few meals which will feed more than just our family so we can invite friends regularly.  It's part of our life here and we love having folks into our home.

This is how we get most of our groceries.  In short, we go to South Africa and buy everything we can't get here in Mokhotlong.  Then we cram it all in Rocky and drive up the mountain pass to get it to the fridge ASAP (usually about 4 hours drive).

Recently we had Sloppy Joes for dinner.  I make my mom's recipe because it's comfort food to me and everyone likes it.  The only modification I make is grating some zucchini into the ground beef and sautéing it up together.  Once you add the sauce, you can't even tell there are veggies in the mix.  It stretches the meat and adds something healthy!  One of the things I miss while living in Africa is fluffy buns.  Seriously, I cannot find buns as light and fluffy in South Africa as I can at Aldi.  They are advertised as "crispy buns" and they live up to their title.  So, I used to make the buns myself.  Then we discovered a little bakery right here in Mokhotlong which sells really nice buns.  They are more dense and a tad bit sweeter than traditional American hamburger buns, but they are fresh and cheap. And that's one less thing I've got to make myself. We frequent the bun shop.  Usually when we go they are sold out.  They tell us they'll bake more and Jono almost always has return later in the day to grab them for dinner.

To go with Sloppy Joes, I made cole slaw and I cooked some cob corn.  I make slaw by finely shredding cabbage with a knife.  Cabbage is ridiculously cheap here.  I bought a half of a big head for about $.35.  Although you can buy cabbage here in Mok, I always buy mine down in South Africa because it is already cleaned and I take all the help I can get.  Then I shred some carrots and today I finely chopped some red pepper.  I make a simple dressing using mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar.  Then I add some salt and pepper and my special ingredient --- mustard seeds.  I love mustard seeds and the little kick they give.  I spring for the Hellman's mayonnaise which, being imported, is significantly more expensive than the stuff they manufacture here.  Some things are worth it.  In my opinion, good mayo is one of those things.

I have learned a lot about planning ahead since being here.  Rural living has done that for me.  I'm truly grateful for all the knowledge and experience I've gained in the kitchen by being forced to think through and learn all things cooking!  If it can be scratched, I've probably scratched it.  If I haven't tried it yet, I'm planning on trying it soon.  No home ec. course in the world could touch this gig!

~Abby

Drizzly Day

Today has been overcast and cool.   I've never appreciated rainy days like I do now.  Most days here are sunny and clear blue skies.  We can go weeks without a drop of rain.  A true rainy day is very special.  I don't let one pass without making the most of it!

I spent the day defusing my new spicy oils I found in South Africa this week.  The weather felt like it could pass for fall.  Orange, clove and cinnamon oils made the house smell like it, too.  I love this spot in my house.  I keep that tea pot filled with water so whenever I walk by and the defuser is off, I can just refill it with water and select a new oil to brighten my day.

After I finished school with Kyle this morning, I decided to make some homemade creamer.  It is vanilla cappuccino flavor.  I tested it on my husband and my friend, MaMopeli.  They both approved. Since flavored creamer is not a thing in this part of the world, I was happy to make a suitable substitute.  Why did it take me four years to dream that up?

This afternoon I made granola.  I grew up eating this yummy stuff but haven't made it myself since living here.  Actually, I'm not sure I've ever made it myself.  Until now, my mom always supplied me with it.  Thanks, Mom!  While we were home, I watched her closely so I could make it myself.  It's delicious and pretty, too.  I bagged some up to share with my neighbor.

Before I got the kitchen tidied up from granola, I went ahead and put together the components for meatballs.  We had barbecue meatball subs with corn and carrots for dinner.

I went out and picked some greenery from my yard to decorate the table.  The roses were a gift from Kyle while we were in South Africa.  Aren't they lovely?  That boy loves to give gifts.  I like a pretty table.  It makes me happy.

During nap time I altered the duvet for Ellee's new bed.  We bought her a toddler mattress while we were in South Africa.  Soon our friend will build her a base for her mattress to get it up off the floor.  I'll post pictures when it's all finished.  I had a duvet for a single bed, so I just tucked and tied and sewed it to fit a smaller blanket I already had to stuff inside.  I think it turned out well.  It should keep her snuggly warm since it's real down feathers.  She loves it because it's pink.

Everywhere I went today, this little slice of happiness was with me.  She's such a tasty treat.  I can't believe she'll be one next week!  Stay tuned for a sappy post about how much I adore this little doll.  

Make the most of your rainy days.  You'll get a lot done!  I have walked three and a half miles just in my own home today.  Now I have drizzly rain to lull me to sleep.

~Abby

Stepping Out

For the first two years we lived in Mokhotlong, I completely avoided going out alone.  Occasionally I would consider going for a walk or a jog alone but always decided against it.  I was nervous about what kinds of situations I would run into by myself.  We attract a lot of attention here for obvious reasons.

Finally I decided I had to just get over it.  No matter how badly I wished it would happen, I wasn't going to blend in.  But I needed to be able to step out and move around by myself.  There had to be some kind of outlet for me to have some alone time.  Because Mokhotlong is so isolated, there really isn't much to do here.  I visit with a lot of people and I play a lot of games with my kids.  Getting time alone is something I have to work towards.

Don't get me wrong.  I love people.  I love the people here.  It just gets old not being able to go unnoticed.  Jogging is not a thing in Mokhotlong.  No one does it.  Oh, there is a ton of foot traffic.  The majority of people walk for transportation.  But no one is running unless they are in a serious hurry or someone is hurt.  I knew running by people would win me even more looks.  I imagine people are looking behind me and wondering what on earth I am running from.  But I simply smile, wave and act like it is normal; because to me it is normal.

Sometimes people stand in my way just to make me to stop so they can ask what I am doing.  Children are particularly difficult to ward off.  They want high fives and hugs (which I give) and sweets (which I don't give) and run along with me until they get tired or bored.  It always makes me smile!  Yesterday a whole group of kids swarmed me and were just giddy that I decided to stop and take their picture.  Since people always want pictures of us, I thought I'd turn the tables on them.  They continued on with me a ways, holding my hands.  I don't know these kids but they don't live far from my house.  Really it is hard to understand why they are so fascinated by us white people.  Aside from our differing skin, we are just people like they are.  But I'm pretty fascinated with them, too.  They're sure cute!

So much sass

It's not a bad place to get your steps in.  9026 today and counting.

~Abby

Airing My Dirty Laundry

There is something about laundry that I enjoy.  I like a task that can be completed simply.  I like routine.  Possibly too much.  I do laundry on Mondays and Thursdays.  It's been this way for a long time.  Back in my dryer days, I used to get away with doing laundry once a week.  I could divide loads and conquer it within a day - washed, dried and put away.  Having to hang it all on the line takes a significant amount of time, though, so I prefer to split it up now.  

I'm not always this happy as I hang laundry.  It's just that I was laughing that my mom was photographing me hanging Jonathan's underwear of all things.  As you can see, I often have company as I do my chores.

If you know me well, you may know that I can be a bit particular about things.  It's a blessing and a curse.  I have to make a conscious effort to relax and change my routine.  Like if it's raining on a Monday.... I have to take a deep breath and remind myself that it's okay -- I can, in fact, do laundry on a Tuesday.  

Typically, I sort laundry into two loads - lights and darks.  If I have towels and sheets, I'll do those separately.  I have a massive washing machine, so it works.  Once my machine is finished singing it's pretty little chime which tells me a load is finished, I pile it up in a basket and take it out to the yard.  I hang by person, oldest to youngest.  It makes me happy to see each person's laundry together.  Did I mention I can be a bit particular about things?  If it is freezing cold, however, I just throw it all up there.  The longer one handles wet laundry in the freezing cold, the colder one's hands become and the worse they hurt.  Ask me how I know.

While I am hanging laundry, I almost always have people passing by my fence going one direction or the other.  Many stop and stare.  It's as if they've never seen a woman hang laundry before.  Oftentimes women ask me if they can have a job and do my laundry for me.  I kindly decline and ask them what I would do if they took my job.  Others simply greet me, which I prefer to the previously mentioned scenarios, and pass on.  It's humorous to me how interested folks are in seeing me (us) complete the same tasks they complete, too. 

When it's all dry, I take it off and fold it as I go.  It takes time, but then it's all ready to go where it belongs when I get it back inside.  Plus, the wind is my friend and irons things very well.  I like to fold them so they stay smooth rather than stuffing them into a basket to fold some other time.  

I also employ the most adorable help.  When we came back to Mokhotlong last month, I hung a smaller line for Ellee to help me with socks and undies.  She's old enough now to pitch in, plus she likes a task.  She takes her job seriously.

When the water goes off, I wash by hand daily using river water.  I cannot get behind or the task is overwhelming.  Thankfully that doesn't happen too often.  I never appreciated a washing machine like I did when I first moved to Africa and didn't have one.  Laundry isn't so bad, really.  My motto is, "Just Do It!"

~Abby

Home Improvements

During our time away, our landlord made some improvements on our house.  Arriving home, we discovered our house and roof had a fresh coat of paint, our floors were re-polished and there were now walkways around the perimeter of the house.  Before, we had a good deal of underbrush growing around the house, so the cleared walking spaces are a welcome change!

I tucked a few special things in my luggage to sprinkle around the house, too.  I've got just about everything put where I want it, except the kitchen curtains I made which are waiting for their rods.  We'll grab those on our next trip down to the city.

Oftentimes I wondered what sort of house we'd end up with once we had signed on to come to Lesotho.  I really had no idea what to imagine.  This house has such a special place in my heart now and I really enjoy just about everything about it.  Sure, the leaky roof is annoying at times, the electricity is spotty (not the house's fault, of course) and occasionally the pipes burst.  Nevertheless, the house has far exceeded our expectations for rural African living.  It really is home.  I plan to have my artist sister sketch a drawing of it so we can take it with us wherever we go.

Gift from my NY visit in August

Christmas gift from my Sister in Law

A favorite decoration

Another favorite

My very favorite kind of decoration cookie

New diaper rinsing/storage spot.  This faucet is outside, just under the kitchen window.

New walkway which continues around the back of the house.

View from the backyard

View from the road

This happy new table runner was a joint project w/ my mama.  Centerpiece by Ellee!

Love this place.

~Abby

Snow in September

We awoke this morning to a white Mokhotlong!  It was totally unexpected, to us at least.  Admittedly, I don't bother to follow the weather here.  Every time I have ever attempted to follow the forecast for Mokhotlong, I find it to be ridiculously off.  Now I just step outside and decide for myself what the weather will be like that day.  It is supposed to be spring, but the winds have been cold.  Although the last few days have been chilly, I certainly was not expecting to see snow on the ground this morning.

I ran around like a little kid taking pictures through the windows.  Shortly after I took these, it was coming down heavily with huge snow flakes.  Here are a few to share!

Out Ellee's window

The diapers are now hanging on that clothes line.  I doubt they will ever dry today.

Front of the house

Cold Rocky

It has all melted now but it's still chilly and drizzling.  The ground certainly wasn't cold enough to hold it for long.  We bundled up and went off to church anyway.  Church here is BYOB.  Bring Your Old Blanket.

Happy Sunday nap time...

~Abby

Up on the Roof of Africa

Did you know that Lesotho hosts a bicycling race called "Roof of Africa?"  Lesotho, made up primarily of mountains, is the only country in the world in which all of its land mass exceeds 1,000m (3,281ft) above sea level.  It's highest point, which is nearby where we live, is 3,482m (11,424ft).  This is why Lesotho has earned the nickname "the Kingdom in the Sky."

When I first began writing this blog, I did so on the roof of our mission center in Mexico.  I used to climb up the ladder to the roof above our third floor apartment and think, pray, rest, or just listen to the hustle and bustle of the city below.  It is sometimes hard for me to remember those kid-free days when I could really ponder life.  Occasionally I've considered changing the name of my blog to something more fitting to my life now.  Something like, "Piled High With Laundry."  Then I'm reminded that, although I cannot comfortably hang out on the roof of my house in Mokhotlong and I barely have time to ponder, I am still Up on the Roof.  And all these little people give me a new and different perspective.

I've always loved the mountains.  It often makes me smile when I look out my window and see the beautiful layers of mountains which surround us.  The Lord knew right where I belonged.  Nestled in the middle of no where.  I enjoy Mokhotlong being home.  It's easy to see why......

~Abby