You Know You Live In Asia When...

You break down and buy a wok.  And seriously consider a rice cooker.

And spend the rest of the night saying "waka, waka, waka" like Fozzie Bear. 

And Larry say "mmmm, tofu!" and kinda means it.

Happy Friday everyone!  Lar and I are off to Amsterdam, will post when we get back with lots of cool pics of my new wooden shoes!

xoxoxo

Pam

25 days

25 days since I gave up coffee and caffeine!  Those of you who know me, know this is BIG change. I've been very tempted the past few days, so I thought I better make it public, that way I won't slip up.  Predictably, the first few days were hard, and luckily for Larry, he was in Seattle!  ha!

This isn't to say I won't occasionally have caffeine again, but I just decided now was the time to make this little change.

Oh, and forget giving up chocolate.  Not happening.

xoxoxo

Pam

Feeding The Addiction

A friend of our family recently sent me a recipe that she thought the person in our house with the pickle problem would like.  It's from Barbara Vethacke(my Lebanese mother) who got it from her soon to be daughter in law; Carey.  Larry is usually happy with whatever I throw in front of him for dinner, and I may hear "this is pretty good", but he doesn't go overboard like I'm used to in my family: "this is the BEST *insert name of food here* I've ever had!!!!" .  So, when I presented Lar with this, I knew he would like it, because, hello, it has PICKLES in it.  But I didn't know how much.  He LOVED it.  It may sound weird, but it really is yummy.  I served it with a nice green salad and a crusty roll, just for fun.  Making soup in the tropics sounds odd?  Well, the day I made it, it stormed all day, and with the arctic air conditioner, I pretended it was soup making weather. Try it, it's yummy!

ZOSIA'S DILL PICKLE SOUP  

8 c. chicken stock or broth
2 chicken bouillon cubes
2 medium carrots, coarsely grated
2 c. peeled, cubed potatoes
1 c. thinly sliced celery
5 coarsely grated Polish dill pickles (from the jar)
1/2 c. milk
2 T. flour
1 egg
5 T. sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)
finely chopped fresh dill (optional)

In a large saucepan or soup pot with cover, combine chicken stock, bouillon, carrots, potatoes and celery. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and cook covered, over low heat, til potatoes start to get soft (about 10 minutes). Do not over cook. Add pickles and continue cooking about 15 minutes. In a small bowl, beat milk and flour til smooth and stir in a small amount of the hot soup (to temper) and add to soup. Bring to the boil and cook til slightly thickened. Remove from heat. In a small bowl, beat egg with sour cream til smooth and stir in a small amount of the hot soup. Add to soup and stir til smooth. Keep soup warm but DO NOT BOIL (the soup will curdle). Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish with parsley and dill. (makes 10 servings)

* I used lowfat yogurt instead of the sour cream, and it turned out great.  Also, I added about a half a cup of pickle juice, and omitted any extra salt.  I also threw in some dried dill, while cooking.

** Zosia is Polish for Grandma

Friends

Here is another slide show of all the buddies I was able to see in Michigan...good times...I missed seeing a few, but next time, I will for sure!

xoxo

Craft Supplies?

All of you Singapore readers that helped with the button question, thank you! It was very helpful,and Larry can now rest easy that his pants will be button up-able (not a word, I know).  I know he was losing sleep over this, so thanks for saving the day.  Now all I need to do is actually sew them on...

My next question for all you smarty pants out there is:  where can I find craft supplies?  The crafty husband has a project in the works, and I was informed today, he needs "supplies".  Sigh.

Thanks in advance for the tips!

Kiddos

One of the coolest parts of my trip home was getting to see all the kids of my family and friends. It was amazing to see how everyone has grown, and to see what they are into now.  A few I met for the first time, and tried to get my share of head sniffing in (can't help it, I'm a baby head sniffin addict, Man).  Some I didn't get to see, which is a drag, so please send me frequent pics!

When I first realized I was moving to Sing for sure, I actually had a moment where I said, wait...I'll miss everyone growing up...but thanks to home leave, my freakin awesome mac with built in webcam, and emails, I  still get to see everyone fairly frequently.  

Not to mention the phone!  I love getting calls from my kiddos!! (hint, hint)

Here's a few pic from my visits...seriously, aren't they so cute??

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow...

Did you know, that before I led the extremely glamorous life of an expat housewife (har, har), I was a hair stylist?  I loved doing hair, and when I was home for our home leave, I was able to do quite a few of my friends and family.  Some even waited 7 months for me to cut it!  I realized how much I missed it, so I decided to throw it out there to who ever reads this in Singapore, that I am able and willing to do hair.  I'm licensed, and well trained (I went to a GREAT school).  I have references if anyone wants them, and I have a small portfolio.  I'd love to do it from my home, but I'm willing to come to yours too.  I do long, short, men's, kids, and everything in between. Most importantly I think one of my best skills is listening to what you want as a client.  I try not to impart my opinions, unless you want them, then I usually am full of good ideas and suggestions!   One of the fun things I can do is help you host a "hair party".  You gather a bunch of girlfriends, perhaps a few bottles of wine or whatever you prefer, and I come and cut everyones hair...it's a blast, and I've had some great times doing it back in the states. And I can guarantee I'm cheaper than most places in Sing (except maybe those nifty 10 minute places...but hey, you get what you pay for!)

If anyone is interested, please contact me at: hairpam327@aol.com

Oooh Aahhh!

I didn't expect to get homesick on July 4th.

Not because I discounted it as a holiday, I just figured that I was still riding the comfortable wave of being home for 2 months.  I saw a lot of friends and family, so I thought I was safe.  I had the occasional twinge this week, as my entire family, and the extended circle that comprises the people we go to Ludington with were enjoying the annual week in Ludington.  It's on the west side of the state (get your "handy" map of michigan out....got it?  Okay, it's the top part of the pinkie).  This is the first year since I was a baby that I missed it. (there were a few years in my 20's that I could only make it up for a day or two, due to jobs).  We've been going for 36 years.  The group now includes first, second and third generations of families.  It's kinda neat to think I have known the kids in my generation for as long as I've been alive, and now, getting to know their babies, it's pretty awesome.  It's at a resort (I use that term VERY loosely) that is a bunch of cabins.  I think at last count it was about 75 people, but I may be off on that. There is a ribfest, 30 years and going strong, pub crawl, euchre tournament, wonderful, long lazy days on lake michigan, and all the family togetherness you can stand.  Hi-jinx and silliness are a requirement. It's a sun burned,sand in your bathing suit, full tummy, laughing with old friends, euchre playing blast.

Like many things in life, such as grief, taxes and christmas shopping, the homesick bug snuck up and bit me on my big 'ol butt.  It wasn't as bad as it has been this past year, but it was there.

So, trying to be proactive, and jump all over that sneaky little bug and stomp it into a gooey mess, I suggested we have a barbecue for some of Larry's american work people.  No one was available....soooo, plan B found us searching the internet for local festivities.  The American Association of Singapore was hosting a party at the naval base for all american families.  It was free, and had bands, tons of american food (Louie, I had a freakin hot dog!!), even Jerry's Memphis Barbecue of Singapore (what?!?!) was there.  Larry had it, and said it wasn't as good as Texas, but it was pretty darn good for Singapore.  We also enjoyed a margarita or two...yummm.

Larry and I registered to vote from overseas through the embassy, and we were so happy we had the chance.  That has been on our minds, so to have that taken care of is pretty cool.  I signed us up to have a Naval person over for a home cooked meal, and I am looking forward to that.

We met some fun people, exchanged emails, and enjoyed chatting with fellow americans.  I think I may have finally made some contacts that can lead me to the one thing I haven't had much luck with yet in Sing...the rare and elusive friend (oh, there are a few, but not like my HUGE group in the states)  The party was really fun, and the bands were GREAT. I was blown away at how many Americans were there...naive, I know, but in my little world, I don't have much contact with any. It was so nice to talk to people who are going through the same things we are.  All around us, we could here people sharing stories of selling their houses, where they live now, and were they have visited.  The kids were all so cute too, and there was tons for them to do.  It was a really fun night, and we are even thinking we might join the American Association.

One of the hi-lights for me was the fireworks.  I've always liked them, but it's never been a big deal for me.  I guess you really do appreciate things more when you can't have them.  I wasn't expecting to see any this year, so the fireworks we saw last night were a little bit brighter and sweeter.  Like the sneaky homesick ect. bug, the grateful bug got me good last night.

miss you all, hope Ludington was a blast (despite the crappy weather!)

xoxoxo!

Buttons?

Do any of my Singapore readers know where I can buy buttons and other sewing paraphernalia?  

Are there any knitters out there that are willing to do a little knitting with a beginner?

Leave me a comment if you can help!  Thanks!!

Glen Arbor

One of the fun side trips we had planned was to go to the lake house my parents won at a charity auction.  It's in beautiful, picturesque Glen Arbor, Michigan, right on Lake Michigan.  Larry and I planned our trip home around the week in Glen Arbor, and boy was it worth it.  We got to spend time with my parents, my cousins, uncles, aunts, and Debbie and Louie.  We've never had a vacation together, so it was pretty neat.  Louie did a lot of cooking, and kept us all laughing.  I took larry to see Chalfonte House in nearby Elk Rapids, and lunch at  Don's diner (yum).  We went to the sleeping bear dunes national park, and it was sooo beautiful.  The night we went, we had to zoom back to the house to be there for the sunset.  It was cold, but so much fun.  We had a great time with family and friends.  One of my favorite places to be is by the water, especially in northern Michigan, so I was super happy.  I love a good road trip too, so Lar and I loaded up the car, brought some tunes and pickles and hit the road.  It was a really fun trip!