Two days before Colombia

We are finally getting ready for our family mission trip to Colombia.  Last night I stayed up late to work on a lecture that I will be delivering to a group of farmers.  That's right. I will have a chance to use my knowledge and experince in horticulture although I must say that I am a student when it comes to the climate and the traditions of the farmers there. 

So far, I have packed two 50 lb suitcases full of ministry and gift materials.  Miriam and Brahms are almost packed.   Tomorrow I will be packing my clothes and finalizing my "hort talk".   Tim checked with American Airlines policy on baggage - and yes - we are allowed two free checked-in suitcases.  

Tomorrow will involve more packing and re-checking the tiny details that we have to pay attention to - such as my thyroid medicine, Shannon's extra contact lenses, passports, etc.  Thank goodness my children are all well-travelled that I don't need to do anything except to remind them or in the case of Miriam - I check her suitcase after she's done packing.  Although Tim is that onew ho travels the most in this family, most of the time I am the one who prepares his clothing.  When we travel together, though,  he gets to do it himself. :) 

We have stopped buying more food as we try to finish what we have in the fridge - and really it is amazing to see how clean the fridge is looking these days.  We have been eating mostly from what we have in the freezer and the pantry instead of fresh foods.  Tonight we made pizza and it was yummy.  For tomorrow I am thinking of making pancakes, eggs, bacon and canned pineapples - again.

Recipe for Crepes

Family and relatives eating crepes.

One of our traditional dishes for breakfast is Crepes.   We serve it with Nutella and sliced fresh fruits in the summer.  When the weather is cold, we use warm apple sauce or plum sauce.   I particularly like crepes because I am not the crepe maker in the family.  :) 

Crepes*

1½ cups all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

½ teaspoon baking powder

½ teaspoon salt

2 cups milk

2 tablespoons margarine or butter, melted

½ teaspoon vanilla

2 eggs

Mix and sift flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in medium bowl.  Stir in remaining ingredients.  Beat with hand beater or whisk until smooth.  Lightly butter your skillet (unless you are using a non-stick skillet where “buttering” is optional); heat over medium heat.   For each crepe, pour scant ¼ cup of the batter into skillet.  Immediately rotate skillet to spread the batter to a desired size. 

Cook until the edges start to separate from the skillet.  Run a wide spatula round edge to loosen; turn and cook other side until light brown (the second side is usually lighter in color than the first side).  Stack crepes; keep covered.

If desired, spread Nutella then add sliced-strawberries, diced mangoes, or jam of your choice over each warm crepe; roll up.  Top with whipped cream, syrup, or powdered sugar.  

Makes 12 crepes; 105 calories per crepe.  (One recipe is barely enough for our family)
___________
*Adapted from "Betty Crocker's Cookbook - 40th Anniversary Edition".

After the crepes.

Miriam Finishes 5th Grade

Principal Mrs. Jensesn

On June 3, 2011 Miriam graduated from Brooks Elementary School.  She finished fifth grade with President's Academic Excellence Award.  Tim and I are very pleased and feel rewarded beyond what we deserve as parents.  We thank God for guiding and protecting her. 

After  eleven years of being a Brooks-family, the Lewis family also graduated from the school and is now ready for the next phase of our life.  Miriam will be attending Rolling Hills Middle School.  Since Shannon and Brahms went to Camerado Springs Middle School, this will be a new experience not only for Miriam but also for Tim and I. 

Her favorite teacher:  Mr. Nordquist.

We are all very proud of her

Two silly sisters.

Showing her President's Award plaque

Goodbye William Brooks Elementary School

We thank God for Miriam and the way she is growing up to be. 

Sixteen Shots In All

Today we (the family) all went to get our immunization shots in preparation for our trip to Colombia.  Most of us got three shots each and Brahms got one more extra since the school now requires immunization of students for whooping cough and tetanus.  That makes a total of sixteen shots in all.  I was scared of the shots since I was not sure what  they would do to me.  I told Tim that I was more afraid of those shots than going to Colombia without them.   We were asked to remain in the building for thirty minutes for observation.   Thank goodness there is a Starbucks coffee inside Safeway. 

Then later in the afternoon we were all sore on the upper arm.  Hopefully we will feel more comfortable in the morning.  I'm guessing that Brahms will still be sore from the tetanus shot.

Here's a list of the recommended immunizations we got:
Hepatitis A
Yellow Fever
Thyphoid Fever
Whooping Cough and Tetanus

This is the first country that we will have been to where we are required to have so many shots.  Another observation worth noting is that immunizations are expensive mainly because the insurance company does not pay for them.  We spent a total of $1,700+.   It is all good...God has been very generous to us.  :)