Holiday Traditions

I'm a sucker for holiday traditions whether its what is served at Thanksgiving or hanging stockings by the fireplace in December.  I almost had a fit last year when my mom suggested not putting up the Christmas tree to the point where I put the whole thing up by myself.  I mean it just wasn't the same without the tree!

With our marriage and the holidays around the corner, I can't help but wonder what our holiday traditions will be.  Even though I can be a bit of a stickler for traditions once they're in place, I understand that we're going to have to a period where we are just starting those traditions and combining some from our families.  For example, we'll be spending our first Christmas together in Kenya.  That alone will be a new experience!  I'm kind of curious how a Christmas with no tree, no snow, etc. is going to feel like.

So in my quest for holiday traditions (and need for something to keep me busy) I came across these cross-stitched stocking ornaments and decided that they might be a neat idea.  I'm a sucker for anything homemade that has a meaning.  After about two months I have successfully stitched all 30 of the mini stockings.  Now I just have to cut out the stocking shape and sew the fronts to the backs.  Hopefully I will finish these by Christmas but I'm not going to hold my breath.  Its a lot of work and I'm not that handy with a sewing machine.

I didn't get him in the photo but Buddy was right there trying!

From Garden to Table Part 5

The pumpkin baking continues.....This weekend we had a lot of potluck meals and BBQ with friends so of course that meant I was in the kitchen baking (not that I mind one bit!).  I decided to finish up the remaining pumpkin from Josh's birthday pie with a treat of his choice.

He wanted pumpkin bars and after searching the internet I finally found one that was up to his liking.  These weren't the traditional bars as I would think of them but more so a pumpkin pie cut up into squares.  I made an oat and peanut base and then topped them with more peanuts and pistachios.

They ended up being a big hit and I was able to get rid of two plates.  This is always my goal with baking as I know I'll end up eating it if it comes home with me.  We still have one more plate in the fridge but I've tasked Josh to take care of that ;-)  

El Nino

This year the meteorological folks have all predicted an El Nino year.  For Kenya this means that the short rains will be heavier and longer.  Normally the rains start about the end of October and continue through November.  They aren't very heavy and usually last for about an hour in the afternoon.

This year the rains have been long and heavy!  They started mid-September and are still going strong.  We usually see the rain clouds rolling in around 3 and the showers usually last 1-2 hours (if not go all night).  Normally this would be ok but we're not talking a little rain.  We're getting downpours.  Inches in mere minutes.  In a country like Kenya this could spell mudslides, widespread flooding, ruined crops, erosion, etc.

Here's a picture of our backyard after ten minutes of such rain.  I affectionately refer to this as "Lake Bast".  Note: it got much larger 5 minutes later coming all the way up to the window.

Weekend Wrap-up

Even though rain spoiled our original plans to head to Kakamega this weekend, Josh and I had a great few days just hanging out around Kisumu with friends.  Friday night we headed out with a few friends to this new Chinese restaurant   As with all things in Kisumu, it wasn't the best I've ever had but it was pretty good for Kenyan standards.  Afterwards we made our way up to the Duke of Breeze and enjoyed a few cold ones with friends.  It was nice to relax after a long week.

On Saturday we were invited over for brunch at a friends house and let me tell you the food was awesome.  We had waffles with apple cinnamon syrup, eggs, bacon, fruit and sausage.  Brunch ended up not happening till about 3:30 but its the thought that counts and Kenyan time always applies anyways.

That evening we decided to check out the Hindu celebration of light, Diwali.  Despite muddy grounds and drizzling weather, we enjoyed delicious traditional Indian cuisine and admired a few of the displays.  At the end of the night a raffle was drawn for 20 various prizes ranging from a 50kg bag of sugar to a motorbike.  Even though a few of our group bought tickets, I think in the end they wished we had skipped the drawing.  It took 2 hours to read the raffle!!

You can't really tell what it is from here but it was the first time I had baked in the crock pot.  On the bottom is a yummy fudge layer!

Sunday Josh and I relaxed most of the morning.  I whipped up a few baked goods (chocolate peanut butter fudge cake and pumpkin pie bars) and he worked on a project for our wedding.  Later on we headed over to a friends house for yet another BBQ.  Filet steak, garlic bread and yummy salad made up the menu.  From there we headed over to yet another friends house to hang out a bit before heading back home to watch the Packers take on the Cardinals.

This weekend is my favorite kind in Kisumu.  Its great to get together with good friends over a few brews and good food.  And that's exactly what we did times three!  As usual Monday came too soon and we are back in the daily grind.  Thankfully there isn't the normal mass confusion before I leave for the states.  I'm so lucky to have already found my replacement and have her here to run things while I'm in the states.

3 Weeks

I know I keep saying this, but where does the time go?!  How are we already 3 weeks away from the wedding?!  Despite time flying by, I can't say much else has changed.  Josh worked on a project for the wedding this weekend and is almost finished with it.  I am so impressed by his skill with technology and IT things.  It is an area where I am clueless and it just blows my mind how proficient he is.  Anyways the project is just amazing and I am super excited he came up with it and made it work.

I am still feeling so blessed to have Brianne taking care of all the details behind the scene.  There seems to be a lot of little details that still need to be done but she is the picture of calm, cool and collective.  This is great because it lets me just focus on spending time with my family while we are home and some of the fun wedding things (dress fittings!).

Overall I think we're ready.  I'm still in this haze of feeling like its not real but its starting to clear up as we get closer to the big day.  I'm feeling so blessed, happy, excited, joyful, loved...

Getting on a Jet Plane

I can't believe I leave for the states tomorrow!  It just feels unreal.  On one hand I am excited to head home and see family and friends but on the other I am not looking forward to the plane ride.  16 hours in a plane has lost its appeal really fast.

Praying for an easy journey and lots of sleep along the way!

Its November

Its November which means the wedding is THIS month!!  25 days!  I've already corrected myself many times when asked when the "big date" is and expect to be doing a lot more of it in the near future.

The reality of when I leave for the states is starting to sink in and I am trying to get better prepared.  Generally I hate packing.  I usually put it off the night before if not the day of.  With all the things we need to remember this time, I thought it would be useful if we at least put together a packing list.  That way if  when we start packing last minute we'll at least have a list of what needs to go in the suitcase.  I also made one for Josh per his request (yes he actually asked me to do this.  This is not me trying to be type A) Here's to hoping we remember it all!

We still have a few more things to finish for the wedding that I am hoping we can do this weekend.  They're nothing major but it would still feel good to get them off our to do list.  We have also tried to get a head start on some of the military aspects of the wedding.  There are certain things we have to do and forms to fill to get everything registered and recognized by the military.  Its nothing major but will take some time.

RSVPs are still coming in and it sounds like a good chunk of people sent them in last minute.  Right now my goal is only 20 people to call.  This may be pushing it but I've got my fingers crossed.  Come on folks you still have a few days till I'm in the U.S. and will start making those calls!

Otherwise, we're still enjoying this time leading up to the big day and getting more and more excited as it gets closer.  I still feel like its not real yet but think getting back to the states and getting emerged in the planning will help with that.

Check out our website for more information about the big day!