Wednesday, December 6, 2023
It's the annual Christmas movie night with young adults tonight. It takes a while to find a movie that can resonate across national cultures and religious traditions. We settle on The Santa Clause, with Tim Allen starring as a man who acquires a new identity. The shift to his new nature takes many adjustments. Along the way, he gradually evolves into his future self.
Cooking starts before 6:00 a.m. By mid-morning, we're down to the last thing: the rotation of spicy chicken wings in and out of the air fryer/oven. And by noon, all is covered and waiting to be served. An hour before our guests arrive, I'll heat most of it again. The two helpers have their own list of what to do - cut fruit, make a green salad, cook rice, and more.
Underfoot, our friend's dog, little Casey, supervises it all. He's staying over a few days.
I cook our usual dishes with a few upgrades. Last Friday, W and I found paprikas (green peppers) 10@$3. I got 3 bags. Sure they're small but how good they taste, chopped and roasted with meatballs in black pepper sauce. And that last cube of Gouda? how about that in the creamed spinach?
The onion skins, green pepper caps, and stirring spoons flavor a broth that has "everything" in it. 3 kg (6.6 lbs) of dry spaghetti need a lot of water to cook. After the noodles are removed, we boil basko meatballs in the water before they get air-fried and roasted. All morning long, we rinse stirring spoons and spatulas in the water rather than washing the sauces down the drain. In the end, there's a rich thick broth = enough for every helper to take some home to their families along with other leftovers.
W and the guys rearrange the living / dining room, roll up the carpets, and bring down chairs, beanbags, and end tables. The tree stays put through Christmas Day. Then he makes sure the projectors are working and stretches the screen across the Porch. Finally, he infuses filtered water with lemon and mint: you cannot drink tap-water here.
I set up the kitchen and print labels for cookie gift bags later this month and tonight's menu - wouldn't you want to know what you're eating in a foreign household? We try to have something to please everyone.
On the dinner list:
- rice (maybe that needs a capital R. Rice)
- nangka (Sunda-syle Jackfruit)
- mayonnaise eggs
- corn
- Brazilian-style cheese balls (thanks, Clau for teaching IbuSumi how to bake these favorites)
- spaghetti in tomato sauce
- cheesy creamed spinach
- sausages in curry sauce (crowd favorite)
- black pepper meatballs
- spicy wings
During intermission, when the center table gets removed and the main dishes have been cleared away:
- cookies and cakes
- fruit with yogurt
It's a full house and we enjoy time together. Old and young are welcome.
Some of these students have been coming for years.
Others have graduated into young professionals or attended movie nights since the first ones 7 or 8 years ago.
The movie is a success.
The question, "Is it possible to grow and change?" is thought-provoking.
Inside and or the Porch, discussions are sweet.
Thursday
After a short night, it's a good thing we decided in advance to hike today. We get up and out of the house, driving an hour north toward Curug Cibareubeuy.
It's not far but it's a steady 1.5 hr climb up to the waterfall. The return is a sometimes slippery descent back to the car.
I count 13 bridges. Some are in good condition; others are so cracked or have such big cracks between the old bamboo that we carry the smallest dog across.
If you don't have good balance, don't even try this walk between rice paddies.
The vistas are breathtaking.
When we first hiked this path years ago, it was mostly dirt but rocks of all shapes and sizes have been placed on the path. It's a great ankle workout.
The rice is ripe.
The farmers are beating out the stalks. Women sift the ripe grains around plastic sheets to dry in the sunshine.
We buy hand-smoked palm sugar, a kitchen staple.
Some places are wider than others. In one stretch, we walk the retaining wall along an irrigation canal. You don't want to lean over too far.
Unusual plants and flowers line the way, like this coleus.
Some old trees are twisted above the roots. They stand strong along the path.
The destination is well worth the climb.
It's a tall waterfall.
With abundant water from springs and mountain rainfall, we cross creeks and streams.
Not every bridge is a masterpiece.
Much farming is done by hand. See this man working the muddy paddy?
Lunch is at the Mandarin Restaurant. It's Roni's last walk before she returns to Australia. We grow fond of each walker with weekly time to get to know each other.
The furniture is mostly reset when we get home. Those two helpers! So strong. One mercury glass candlestick and a Turkish saucer have shattered in the process. Putting the rest of the decor back is my relaxation for the evening.
Read more:
*The Israelites cried to the Lord, saying, “We have sinned against you, because we have abandoned our God.” Judges 10:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. Isaiah 41:10
The children were crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” Matthew 21:15
Zechariah said, “You will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.” Luke 1:76-77
Moravian Prayer: O God of children who sang prophetic praises in the streets long ago, amplify our voices into one resounding song of glory and promise in our days. Never let us forget your comforting presence as we journey through the week.
O Holy One, ageless and forgiving, timeless and loving, we bow before you confessing our unrighteousness. We humbly ask that you restore us to a place of favor in your sight. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
