RECIPE: Refried Beans & Salsa

I adore Mexican food.  It's comical how many people remark - "Oh wow, Brazil!  You must get some GREAT Mexican food out there!" ..well, actually, NO.  The only thing that Mexico and Brazil have in common is that they are both "Latin American" countries, but let us remember - they aren't even on the same continent!  If you want great Mexican food, go to Mexico.  Come to Brazil, and you'll be sorely disappointed.

For starters, Brazilians do not like spicy food.  In the US, salt & pepper are married.  In Brazil, they've never even met!  It is salt only on the tables out here folks - pepper wasn't invited to this party!  That's not to say you can't find the occasional imported jar of salsa or taco shells.. you'll just pay a good ole' hefty imported price for them (think R$35 for taco shells - that's about $15!!).  No thank you.

THIS is what brought me to search for this priceless recipe:  Refried beans.  In the slow cooker!  Seriously, it doesn't get easier than this - and the taste??  I swear you will never see a can of beans in my house again - once you try these, you'll never go back!  The hubster doesn't even like refried beans.. or at least he didn't.. until now! :)  Click here to get the recipe.  You won't regret it!  (If you have a food processor, a few quick pulses when it's done will save you the mashing and you don't have to pre-chop the jalapeno.. SO SIMPLE!!)

And while you're at it, hop on over here for some LOVELY salsa.. YES PLEASE!!  And now I'm off to the kitchen..

Bitter Sweet

I guess I've always known it, but the past 6 months have proved it to be true: The only thing I know for certain is that nothing is for certain!

My husband gave me the heads up about our move out of SP back in October, and the location has changed as much as the deadline to leave! December to January to February to March and now finally to the end of April. Dubai, Portugal, Germany, South Africa, Australia - there weren't many avenues that were left unexplored.. It's no secret that my preference was to stay abroad, (and heaven knows we tried!), but the perfect opportunity just never panned out.. unless of course, you count Texas. I mean, I guess it's the next best thing to being abroad, seeing as it practically is its own country (seriously, what other state in the US has a waffle maker made in the shape of it??). I've personally never been outside the DFW airport, but many a friend have exclaimed, "Texas?! I can SO see you there!!" .. I'm not quite sure what that means just yet ..

Although I know that that deep Texas pride is only a few months away, I still can't get myself to be completely excited about the move. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of pros to being back in the US - we'll even be close to family this time around! But right now, the main thought that Texas brings, is the reality that getting there means I have to leave here.. and that just makes me want to cry. By far this will be the hardest move we've ever had to make. In no other place have we grown so much both as individuals, and as a family in such a short period of time. Two years have flown by, and I am honestly having a hard time wrapping my mind around "the end". So please, don't tell me how excited I should be about living in Texas just yet.. because even though I am, right now I don't want to be robbed of the opportunity to be sad, and even a little upset that I'm leaving a country that I have come to love for a myriad of different reasons. Eu amo o Brasil!!

Shoot It

Something about having a 5th child, in an area outside of Utah and Idaho causes people to ask all sorts of questions:

"Are they ALLLLL yours?!"

"Did you plan it that way?" - usually accompanied by a stark white complexion and eyes filled with horror.

"But you're done now, right?" - these people are usually quite fun to mess with ;)

"Are you Mormon or Catholic?"

"How old are you?!"

And my personal favorite, "Wooow.. how do you do it?".  I'm never quite sure how to answer that last one.  Umm, one day at a time?  With patience and long suffering?  Quick one-liners never seem to satisfy, and all of the sudden I see a desperate sense of longing in their eyes to unlock the secrets of successful parenting, because clearly, anyone with more than 3 children MUST have all the answers right??  Oh how I wish that were true!  I have opinions, sure, but I am no longer naive in thinking that there is ONE right answer for everyone.  Parenting is unique.  Personal.  As different as each of us and each of our children.  What may work for me may not work for you, and vice versa.  And you know what?  That's completely fine!  If I have learned one thing from living abroad it is this:  there is no ONE right way to succeed.  No matter what your upbringing, your culture, financial status, personality traits and personal breaking points may be, there are countless ways to bring up a great, well rounded child.  Countless ways to achieve a genuinely happy family life.  Evaluate your expectations, your hopes and dreams for your kids, for your family, and for yourself, study out the available paths you can take to get to where you want to go, do your best, and above all, be willing to stop, reevaluate, make some changes, and try, try again!  What more can any of us hope for?  I've heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child.. how true that is turning out to be!

This past Friday I wanted to document just a regular "day in the life of me".  It's nothing glamorous, but it's my life, and it makes me happy! :)  I saw the idea to take a picture every hour.  In order to fit everything in and be realistic, I opted to do a picture every 30minutes instead.  So, without further adieu, here is a typical Friday as they stand right now:  

5:30am - Wake up.  Nurse the baby.  At this point I was still half asleep and didn't remember that I wanted to take pictures until he was happy with a full belly.. oops. 

6:00am - Time to get ready!

6:30am - Get kids ready.

7:00am - Breakfast and top off baby.  Yes, I can nurse one handed.  It's how I roll. 

7:30am - Family scripture reading and prayer.  We use an iPad app with children's versions of the stories with pictures.  LIFE SAVER.

8:00am - Take the kiddos to school (the 3 eldest that is).

8:30am - Off to the feira with Princess P and Baby C in tow.

9:00am - On to the meat store.. yes, that's raw meat all over the back counter.  No, they don't use gloves.  Or hairnets..

9:30am - Heading home.

10:00am - Unscheduled diaper explosion with resulting impromptu bath.  Happy Baby C.  You're welcome little dude.  

10:30am - Organize and put away the spoils.

11:00am - LUNCH = Happy mom.  Simultaneous baby feeding = Happy baby.

11:30am - Dishes anyone??  (No Amazing V isn't slacking.. I guess I never did mention that we only have her clean one day a week now instead of the original 5 (we made the switch back in July after our trip to the US).. after I got used to life abroad I just didn't want someone in my house all the time anymore.  Even if that did mean less than sparkling floors 24/7.)

12:00pm - Pick up Sir L from school.

12:30pm - After school snack at the park.

1:00pm - Kids playing, baby sleeping = mommy gets in a little reading time!  I mark up my books.  I'm rebellious like that.

1:30pm - Precious downtime. :)

2:00pm - Hunger strikes again.

2:30pm - Straighten up.

3:00pm - Pick up Miss B and Mr H from school :)  Silly kids!

3:30pm - Prep pizza dough for dinner.  Friday night = pizza night! :)

4:00pm - Chores.  Teamwork is a beautiful thing!  (One of the major reasons I wanted less help was so my kids could have more responsibility.. we won't be in Brazil forever so they best get used to it now!)

4:30pm - My little pizza making pros :)

5:00pm - Get ready for bed.

5:30pm -  Pizza's ready!!  This Hooley family movie night brought to you by Netflix.

6:00pm - Popcorn's ready!

6:30pm - Desert anyone?

7:00pm - Bedtime routines.

7:30pm - Me time. :)

Not too shabby for a 14hr day!  As long as I stick to my schedule and have the ability to multi task, I am generally very happy with what can be done in the course of one day.  The only downside is come 7:30pm I am D-O-N-E being a mom.  I have nothing left to give in that era of my life.  It's time to be a wife and just plain old Erin.  But don't be surprised if I'm out cold by 9! ;)

The Miracle of Freedom

What a read!  I truly haven't had such an eye opening read in a while, and I can't recommend this book enough..  The Miracle of Freedom - 7 Tipping Points that Saved the World by Chris & Ted Stewart was both enlightening and sobering.  At times the stories relayed in it were hard to take in, but challenged my mind in ways that strengthened my sense of being and my dedication to all that I believe and hold dear.

As this was such an in depth book, it's hard for me to not quote the entire thing in my "favorite passages", but alas I will refrain:

"Noted American scholar Thomas Sowell relates that once a student asked his professor of history, "Where did slavery come from?"  The professor replied, "You're asking the wrong question.  The real question is: Where did freedom come from?  ..Slavery is one of the oldest and most universal of all human institutions.  Slavery has existed among peoples around the world, as far back as recorded history goes.  ..It is the idea of freedom for the great masses of ordinary people that is relatively new."  How was freedom born?  And how does it survive?"

"We content that freedom exists because Christian Europe created an environment where an incredibly rare combination of values - commitment to reason, personal accountability, individual freedom, equality, rule of law, the right of self-government - provided a philosophical nursery that allowed these ideas to take root and then to flourish.  Because of this evolution in human thinking - which took place uniquely in the West, along with a commitment to expend blood and treasure in its defense - billions of people today enjoy the blessings of living free."

"The rarity of freedom is matched only by its fragility, its ebbs and flows unpredictable and unsure."

"We are living a life that the vast majority of the earth's historical inhabitants could not have imagines, a life they never could have hoped to enjoy.  Do we have proper appreciation of that fact?"

"Do we want these things?  Will we still work to claim these blessings?  Will we fight to preserve the miracle of freedom that we enjoy today?  In fact, could the answer to these questions be the thing upon which the future of the entire world depends?"

If you are fascinated by culture and religion and the psychological ramifications of them, how they shape who we are (sometimes without even realizing it), then this is a must read.  It will challenge your understanding and change the way you think about things that we all too often take for granted.  LOVED it!

RECIPE: Nutella & Sea Salt Fudge

I LOVE to cook.  I LOVE to bake.  Pretty much I just LOVE food!  I am always looking for new recipes to try and have subscribed to more food blogs than I care to admit.  Although there are many great recipes out there, sometimes they are hard to sift through.  Not all of them become staples in our home, but the ones that do are near and dear to my heart (& stomach). :)  I thought it might be fun to post a favorite recipe each month just to save you the trouble of having to ask me again, and again, and again for it because I keep forgetting to share it with you (sorry)!  This recipe for Nutella & Sea Salt Fudge is probably the one that I have promised to give to the most amount of people and forgotten.. really, it's embarrassing . nothing personal, I'm just spacey sometimes.  Anyways, don't cry, because you can officially find it by clicking here!  You're welcome. :)  I know the picture makes it look all Christmasy and whatnot but I assure you, you can eat this any day, any time, and for any meal you please.  The hubster likes to melt it back down and pour it over ice cream too.. like I said, you can do no wrong with this one.. accept that is, if you opt to not make it!

And for all of you non-bakers out there, don't worry, this is such a cinch to whip up and it's truly divine!  Even my friends who don't like Nutella (GASP!) love this.  It's a win-win.  *For those of you who live in Brazil (or any other country) and don't have access to chocolate chips, just use a chocolate bar instead. ;)

Now I am perfectly aware that it isn't advisable to eat fudge for dinner.  Not completely sure why, but I'll trust the nutritionists on that one. ;)  SO, because I love you, and because I have a major craving for it right now, feel free to whip up this AMAZING lasagna recipe to serve as a prelude to that amazing fudge!  This is the recipe I use when I whip up 10 of these to freeze - it's a perfect freezer meal!  My lasagna loving husband goes gaga for this, The Best Lasagna. Ever. Click here, and thank me later. :)

*In Brazil I make a few changes to the recipe, but it is still utterly perfect!  I omit the sausage and just use ground beef as the sausage here is quite different.  I also use 1/2 cottage cheese & 1/2 ricotta cheese (the spreadable kind in the container, not the fresh ricotta) due to the crazy price of cottage cheese here!  I also omit the shake-able parmesan cheese as it is a crime against food and top with mozzarella and a little fresh grated parmesan if I have it on hand, but it still tastes awesome without it.  Also, "extracto de tomate" is the closest thing to tomato paste. :)  Bon apetit!

Censored

This post, for a myriad of reasons, will not contain a picture.  Elaboration?  I thought you'd never ask..

Once upon a time I gave birth to a little boy in Brazil.  Without getting political (I know everyone has different views on the topic, and I don't harbor strong opinions on the matter other than "do what works best for you and your family".), we had him circumcised 24 hrs after his birth.  Having had 2 boys previously, I thought I knew how the whole ordeal would go down.  I was wrong.  In the States, the procedure is done by the child's pediatrician.  Here?  The plastic surgeon.  Oh yeah.  Never thought I'd be writing a check to the plastic surgeon for my 1 day old!  Anyhoo, the procedure itself was a different method than I was familiar with.  The surgeon went on and on about how wonderful it was because it leaves no scar (never investigated thoroughly enough to notice one with the other two..) and the result is, and I quote, "beautiful".  No offense boys, but flowers are beautiful.  That.. well, I'm just not even going to go there.  

Fast forward a month and everything looks the same as I had expected.  Now, as a mother of 5 kids there isn't too much that sends me running for medical advise anymore.  I pretty much know how to take a 104 degree temp back into the safety zone, stop heavy bleeding, and keep a child with the stomach flu hydrated.  I also know when enough is enough, and help is needed beyond my abilities.  So when the plastic surgeon called and insisted that I drive across the bridge, in Sao Paulo rush hour traffic (we're talking HOURS in the car here people!), with 5 kids in tow, just so she could look at it and tell me what I already knew, that all is fine n' dandy, I had to decline.  The verbal approval of both myself and the pediatrician didn't satisfy the need to see the aftermath firsthand and determine if indeed it was "beautiful", and shortly after, we received emails insisting on pictures, so she too could put her stamp of approval on it.  I dodged the emails.  I dodged the calls.  I guess I thought that it would just go away if I didn't address it.  I mean, truly.  People get thrown in prison for that kind of thing were I come from!  Did she really expect me to photograph my little man's.. uh, little man?  Yes.  Yes she did.  So, in a very awkward mother-son moment, I did the unthinkable - I took pictures.  And then.. I emailed them.  Afterwards I quickly deleted the evidence and swore that if the US authorities ever come knocking on my door for exploiting my son I will take her down with me!  Lol.  Who knew a Brazilian circumcision would be so eventful??  Sorry Baby C, I swear it wasn't my idea..

Nursing Shocker

You know that moment when you're nursing your baby in the comfort of your 14th story apartment bedroom, sharing in the special bond of mother and child, when you suddenly notice the hand of a man on your windowsill? Yeah. Seriously scared the crap out of me!  I understand that not everyone feels inclined to cover up while nursing, but I am one who enjoys a certain degree of privacy in my personal, if not intimate, endeavors..  Thankfully, my shutters were mostly closed to to the wretched heat we've been experiencing and my lack of AC.  Lol.  Just one of the perks of high rise apartment living! :)