How to make raw brownies? How about crepes? (Recipes included)

Sunday, August 10, 2025

We talk about practical faith at the IES Bandung Gathering. That includes honoring other people, respecting those in authority, and obeying the government. (See 1 Peter 2:11-17 below.) People share lively takeaways afterward. Titik is back and has outdone herself on the hall flowers.

Close up, the detail of the leaves, roses, and mums are lovely.

We eat at #HomeGround, with spicy Szechwan beef and rice for me and chicken for W. I walk back, noticing electrical boxes dangling from the trees along the street. (That can't be good!)

The hoya vine on the Porch is flowering again, scenting the entry. The little (6"/15cm) pot half-filled with soil seems unlikely to support the lush growth but it blooms off and on all year.

W and I stay on the Porch for a few hours, reading and wrapping up post-Gathering Sunday chores.

Monday

We walk all 3 dogs on a leash, with Anton occasionally jumping over Juno's back toward cats. W drapes the leash behind his legs so Anton is pulled back if he tugs - his choice.

The beautifully woven standard from the weekend's wedding has been pulled down. Now it's just strips of grass that will be burned with whatever else is lying along the street.

We take some calls and work while the morning is young. W and our grandkids enjoy the gaming aspects (and competitive nature) of the Duolingo language app. I just want the information. W has a streak of +1300 unbroken days while I'm at 1100. We have completely different experiences. He uses his computer and is learning quickly. Because he likes music and background noise, he constantly plays Indonesian jazz radio. He hears more language. Meanwhile, I crave silence to refresh my sanity.

The pine cones from last week's hike are starting to dry and open.

I write next Sunday's talk, toss the ball for Anton, and start writing the introduction to my book. After 2 hours, my focus is kaput. Meanwhile, W leads a hybrid study = online and in person.

On some trip, I bought an Indian cuisine packet (spinach paneer). I mix it with azuki beans. Along with okra and mushrooms, it's a healthy lunch.

Tuesday

Juno comes to be petted after her morning wriggle in the garden. What a mess - though the mud flakes off and she'll be dry within an hour.

During a few meetings online, I throw the ball for Anton to run off some of his energy. It works. When we walk the neighborhood, Anton ignores 5 cats without jumping at them. Wow. That's never happened so is worth noting in my journal. ha.

Look at this pretty clump that is fruiting along the neighbor's driveway.

Fruit and flowers are constantly in season.

I taste the Raw "Brownies" I made last night: no eggs, gluten, or dairy. Pretty good! Here's how to make it for yourself:

• Soak in hot water for 15 minutes: 1 1/2 c raw or roasted walnuts and 1 1/2 c dates. (Can adjust the size with 1 part walnuts; 1 part dates = as long as you have at least 1 c. of each.)
• Drain off the water. Add 4 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa, 1-2 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 tsp vanilla, and 1/4 tsp salt.
• Blend in a blender until fairly smooth.
• Press into a lined pan or roll into balls. (I lined a 5"X7" teflon saucepan and pressed the mixture flat into it.)
• Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

110 people have signed up for movie night tomorrow. Only 70 can fit comfortably in the house and Porch. I shop for salads and prepare sauces for movie night (tomorrow). PakG drives me "straight down the hill" to the supermarket and back.

Team meeting is online today. After that, we check on the project. It's coming along ... the roofline is almost done. I get an idea of the trajectory of the sun for transplanting our garden in a few months. Much of the ground is in deep shade under tall pines.

Back home, I think about lighting and imagine the hallway: 4 sockets in a row. What do we already have ... besides the white IKEA paper globes that cover every naked bulb in our place?

Hmmm? Didn't we get bulb covers on a trip years ago to a handmade paper factory in Chang Mai? Yes - there are 4 small ones for the hall plus a larger cover for another room. Good enough!

For supper, I feel like eating crepes. It takes a few minutes to whip them up and a few more for W and me to enjoy them with orange marmalade and whipping cream. Want the recipe? I usually heat 2-3 little saucepans (6-8") at once, so it's a quick process.

SIMPLE CREPES

Mix together: 

• 1 c flour
• 1 tsp each baking powder, vanilla (optional), and sugar (optional)*
• pinch of salt

Beat together:

• 1 T melted butter
• 1.5 c milk
• 1-2 eggs

Whisk the dry and wet ingredients together until the batter is minimally lumpy. (HINT: A pourable measuring cup will make it easy to add batter to the pan.)

Swirl oil/butter around a hot pan, dumping excess fat from the pan into a glass measuring cup. (Reuse that hot butter/oil between crepes to re-grease the pan.)

Pour 2-3 T batter into one end of the oiled hot pan. Tilt the pan to cover the bottom with a very thin layer of batter.

Cook for up to 2 minutes. When the batter is dry on top, the crepe can be tipped out of the pan onto a serving plate. No need to bake it on both sides.

*If you skip the sugar and vanilla, it's ideal for savory fillings.

W and I have read the Sunday talk so I confirm events on the weekly calendar: women's study (hopefully), movie night, a hike, a family-style supper and travel night, and a potluck on the weekend. Sounds like a lot of cooking, eating, and people, doesn't it?

Read more:
*Put away the foreign gods that are among you and incline your hearts to the Lord. Joshua 24:23

*Paul said, “I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:20-21

*Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human authority; whether to the emperor as the supreme authority or to the governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong adn to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil. Live as God's slaves. Show proper respect to everyone. Love the family of believers. Fear God. Honor the emperor. 1 Peter 2:11-17

Moravian Prayer: God, when we stray, guide us back to your loving embrace. Grant us the courage to repent, the strength to seek forgiveness, and the humility to return to your divine presence. This we pray in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Preparing transplants, tramping the forest, and touching base

 Wednesday, August 6, 2025

The yardman continues to dig up bushes in the yard. He wraps their root balls and puts them back into the ground. "They must stay put for a month or so, or they will die when transplanted." I guess a move hurts as we pare back before we can thrive in our new place, whether it's a person or plant.

When we moved in, our first yardman cut flowerbeds into the boring lawn and planted the +50 plastic pots cluttering the Porch. The ailing avocado-pit plant in its little pot that went into the ground has soared into a big tree, obscuring our view of the neighbor's house. Other trees include papaya, mango, melinjo, cloves, lemons, and mangosteen.

The previous owner took with her everything she wanted to keep when she moved out. There wasn't much left in the garden beyond amaryllis bulbs. After 11 years, we've put many trees and flowers into the new flower beds. Much of what we put in will come with us. The rest will stay for the next person to enjoy. Two flowerbeds along the driveway will be filled with what isn't placed elsewhere.

I write Sunday's talk, toss a ball for Anton to fetch, and eat a TJ Toffee Bar (cookie) with my cup of tea. It's calm in early afternoon beyond birds chirping and the chop-chop of the machete. Then the wind picks up and the chimes begin to ring. Must be more rain coming.

W takes Anton to the vet for a blood test. If he's back to health, he can come on our hike tomorrow! He's so restless and full of energy that we hope for the best.

Thursday

Hiking day. We start at Lorong Lumut, a tunnel of rock with a bamboo base. The dogs prance through it, making sure not to catch their feet between the stalks.

We have all 4 dogs along. Little poodle Bailey stays close to my heels. Anton the Standard poodle is in fine fettle, bouncing along the trail, exploring the smells, and bonding with labradoodle Juno. Gypsy the beloved mutt is getting old; he'll be 12 in October. He tires after a few miles and stays close to us while the younger 2 run ahead. We pull the dogs off the path to let grass-cutters by. Today they've chopped ferns to feed cattle.

The hike takes longer than usual, though it's only 4.5 miles/6.8 km. The paths are sandy, rocky, or mud-slicked. Most of the time, we're in the forest, cool breezes keeping us comfortable with the tree canopy between us and the blue sky.

We lose the track a few times with a plethora of trail options but W's mapping skills keep us going in the correct general direction. The banana bread baked by helpers on Tuesday is an energy booster. We stop twice to enjoy slices.

There's a suspension bridge between us and the pickup point, with the warning: "Only 5 people at a time." Well, there's me and 3 dogs, rocking the bridge with our differing treads. The bridge is covered with rusting metal sheets, so who knows what's underneath. Juno gets spooked and freezes halfway across as the bridge starts to sway. The others bring him along when they cross.

We come out of the forest by the old climbing walls and pause while W takes a photo.

Lunch is at Sindang Reret, a Sundanese boat-themed restaurant. The server takes a liking to us and gives us great service and a discount. As usual, W leaves the amount as a tip for him.

I think the server is taken aback because we speak (limited) Indonesian and are polite. Not all foreigners understand how rude they can seem when demanding changes from the menu or expecting quick responses from the servers. Here, even when food takes time to reach the table, you must wait patiently until the meal comes.

The food is very tasty. The restaurant is surprisingly full for a Thursday afternoon. 

We drop Veronica at home before heading to our place. After a shower, it's time to check student papers. I'm hoping to wrap up the Bhutan class this week. One student still has to send in a reading list. I prefer to grade all submissions of an assignment at the same time. That way class marks are similar and not as dependent on my energy level while grading.

W misses the men's afternoon meeting since we get back later than usual. We have just enough time to thank the helpers before they go home. They've been cleaning outdoor furniture today. Everything is dusty with the insects, rodents, and pollution, not to mention dirty from lots of use!

Friday

How can the weekend be around the corner? Today would have been my parents' 72nd anniversary. They had 67 years together and this was taken on their last anniversary. Dad died that December.

I've never met a couple more in love than my folks. They put each other first, before kids, before work, before their own interests. What role models!

We walk past a frog that is usually camouflaged in lichens and leaves. On the road, he's more visible.

They've hired a security guard and taken other precautions at the project site. Area by area, the decaying walls, stolen plumbing, and sagging ceilings are being replaced.

A rectangle of wallpaper is missing where there used to be a box on a ceiling. I'll use markers and paint to filll it in later.

I take a few calls between grading and working on my book. We're wrapping up class and making decisions on papers; the students confirm their topics.

We have lunch at RoadRunner's kitchen with Alan and Jani before returning to work at home.

Their food is excellent.

When we pick up some books, we learn that the proprietor used to be the driver of expats now living in Paris. We show Pak Pamin a recent video from our Paris friends and send them a video of him saying hi. He's delighted to see their faces and hear their voices.

I miss the monthly book group, working away at home when gusts of rain blow in. No wonder everything is verdant in the tropics. We get frequent afternoon or night rain while most mornings are warm and sunny. We love the weather in northern Bandung: 68 (20C) nights and 80 (27C) days with mountain breezes (or wind!) cooling the skin.

Sadly, southern Bandung lies is in a basin that gets the runoff from multiple mountains in addition to its own downpour. Houses and streets often flood. Besides water, garbage - plastic cups, bags, and other refuse that is tossed everywhere - washes down the streets and gutters to plug drains and fill the creeks. Before we moved to the city, friends to warned us against living in that sector.

Saturday 

The dogs are happy to dig into their breakfast before our walk.

a garden at the project is waiting for flowers.

Makeshift scaffolding above the stairs doesn't look sturdy. Luckily the painters are light and light-footed.

The trees on the loop are bright in the sunshine.

When one of us walks behind the other, the dogs want to know where we are. They're pack animals, for sure.

There's a sign of someone's wedding hanging over the entry to Maxi's Resto, someone's handwork.

The details are beautiful.

If I were a screamer, I'd probably be shouting "Owie!" and "Ease up!" this morning. IbuSiti is my wellness secret, a skilled and safe masseuse who comes to the house. When travelers stay with us, they often hire her to unknot their travel aches after long plane or train journeys.

Instead of splurging on vitamins or meds, I happily give her $20 twice a month. While she works, I get 2 hours to listen to textbooks or non-fiction that I can't otherwise focus on. The focus takes my mind off the pain, too. Today I'm listening to Brene Brown's Atlas of the Heart (a scientific look at emotions). I've just finished a pre-publication book on female ADHD in Nowhere Girl by Carla Ciccone. Both are exceptional.

We go to IKEA for baskets and light sockets. We eat there - the same familiar food served around the world - and are home by late afternoon. Not hungry, the evening meal is snacks: pineapple, watermelon, and a TJ peanut butter chocolate. We make sure we're ready for tomorrow.

Read more:

*You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal. Isaiah 26:3-4

*You have looked for much, but it came to little, and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? Says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses. Haggai 1:9

Jesus said, “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds and neglect justice and the love of God; it is these you ought to have practiced, without neglecting the others.” Luke 11:42

Moravian Prayer: Forgiving Lord, as we repent of our sins, grant us the strength to amend our ways. Help us turn back to you with sincere hearts, seeking your mercy and guidance. Amen.

Back to teaching

Monday, August 4, 2025

My friend Gail Johnsen and I teach a Singapore class online this week. We've co-taught this doctorate-level course before.

After a short neighborhood walk with the dogs, W accompanies me to the office to check that the Zoom call is ready to go. Nope! It's a good thing he is there; the internet needs rebooting. He tries everything and then connects me to a different router. Whew. In-house tech support. He heads home while I teach 4 hours. These students are attentive, experienced, and interactive.

We eat a quick lunch at Maxis. Our helper volunteers at a preschool this morning and isn't around to cook for the household. We meet PakG backing the car out of the gate to get his lunch, which feels a bit strange. (His son has his motorcycle?) He drops off a banana bread at a friend's and brings more bananas from her.

It pours rain in the afternoon. No working on the Porch for me. Besides pacing out the class hours for tomorrow, I draw up a final lighting plan for the project. W prints an oversized copy for the aging eyes of the electrician and me. 

In my mind's eye, people are already sitting around tables, enjoying each other's company. While parts of the renovation are exciting, much of it only "shows potential" at this stage. Most of the damp and falling-down ceilings have been removed. Some will be replaced with drywall. In other rooms, like this one, the concrete ceiling will be painted and left exposed for additional height.

Tuesday

I'm in the classroom before 7 AM. The Singapore host lets me in and off we go! We have so much to cover that I'm resigned to not finishing 10 days of material in 2 days - but we actually wrap up the last slides with minutes to spare.

Doctoral cohorts may be small but they are interesting. This cohort makes class presentations and handles their Q&As professionally. When we're done, the comments are enthusiastic and the takeaways are on point for the first two days. I send them my PowerPoint and ask them to review it before tomorrow. Dr Gail takes the next two days. Friday is a review day.

During one break, I lean over the third floor balcony to see what's going on next door to the office. The roofs get in the way of the stunning landscaped park on a half-acre. It's complete with a security house and toilet. We've only seen it from the street, through the gate in the 10-12' front wall.

 

During another break, I look on the other side of the office to another neighbor's yard. They were starting to garden during the pandemic when I used the balcony. Now the gardens are lush, with a greenhouse, vegetables, French lavender, and other European herbs. Ah, I was wondering where I'd find lavender for the next garden. Maybe there?

My computer/thermos/books/binder/art supply-bag is heavy. W carried it to the office for me but he's in Jakarta by noon, picking up our passports from the USA embassy. I tote it home myself, bag on one shoulder, purse on the other, and my tall tea mug firmly in hand.

When everything's put away, it's time to eat the delicious nasa goring sapi (fried rice with beef) that IbuA has prepared. While I'm in class, she and IbuS baked 6 banana breads. The whole house smells sweet. I set one aside for them to take home.

After lunch, I smash together walnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and black currents for IbuS's home-baked loaf. SO good. I'm ready for a nap, having had a short and restless night with too much to think about (= including wondering how class would get through all the material. Yay, we did it.)

All but one of the team have inescapable obligations during our weekly meeting time. Since this week's reflection is a good one that we'll want to do together,  the meeting is postponed to next week. I set aside one banana bread for the person who showed up = attendee bonus.

The sky clouds over into a soothing backdrop for rest. By the time it rains, I'm inside and working in warm comfort.

Wednesday

I'm up early so call Mom to find out how her 90th birthday party went. She's full of life and memories. "It was a foretaste of heaven. Everyone was in unity and it made me think of how wonderful heaven will be." She talks about her peacemaking calling, "Since I was a child, I didn't want stress between people. I just wanted everyone to get along." She has fostered that, accepting those she meets without judgement. I end the call, happy to have time with her.

 

We drop by the project. We take a few measurements to see if the wooden desk being taken out of one room can be repurposed to fix a cupboard. (Shelves were stolen long ago.)

A chameleon is sunning itself on the ledge.

Thieves have broken in overnight to steal the crew's welder, pump, and cables. That's a financial loss to local workers who will have to replace them. But then, criminals rarely consider those they hurt. Until God changes a heart, no amount of rituals can transform a person.

Two young neighbors hailed W outside the locked gate as we walked by. They asked W if they can be our night guards ... even before we discovered the theft. Obviously, someone saw the thief who broke in last night and has told others.

We have our date breakfast at Nara Park. Cats walk in and out of restaurants here.

We watch the servers set up a picnic theme for a birthday party later today. Hmmm, it's definitely for kids. Partygoers our age might easily get down but not everyone could get up again. hehehe

I have the usual - noodles, "popcorn" dumplings, and 3 kinds of hot sauce.

Back home, the yardman starts digging up shrubs. What?! 

We hadn't planned to transfer the garden until late this month or October when the rains come. I quickly draw a yard map and show the yardman where to plant larger plants that provide the structure. There's a separate planting page for each area. He says he understands the plan. (Now to see where the plants end up!)

I've forgotten to spray myself with DEET and the mosquitoes start to eat me alive. Oh yeah! run inside to slather my skin.

Read more:

*Is it not you, O Lord our God? We set our hope on you. Jeremiah 14:22

*Do not devise evil in your hearts against one another. Zechariah 7:10

*God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his son. 1 John 5:11

*Finally, all of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love for one another, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 1 Peter 3:8

Moravian Prayer: Dear divine Creator, grant us the strength to endure life’s trials, the wisdom to navigate challenges, and the courage to face uncertainty. May hope be our guiding light, illuminating our path with resilience and optimism. 

Gracious God, inspire us to embody the profound command of Christ: to love one another selflessly. May our hearts overflow with compassion, kindness, and understanding, fostering a world united in the bond of love. Amen.