Missionary Monday....4 More To Go...

 

I cannot believe we have only 4 more Monday's before he is home!!

I realized late last night...that it was exactly one month until our Missionary Boy completes his missionary service. I have such mixed emotions...We are ready to have him back... but it has been an amazing experience to have a child serve a mission. His service has blessed our family!

 

A very special baptism..

.

Breakfast At A Roadside Stand...Mexico City

 

Street food in Mexico is amazing! There are food stands on every corner, with most any kind of food you may want. The moment we left the airport in Mexico City, the smell of those street food stands took over! The Farmer began his search of the yummy street tacos, that he has such fond memories of. I too gained a love for those tacos...and learned that if I would soak them in fresh lime juice...and drink a Coke along with...I would never get sick from eating the street food. And can I say...that has been true for me. I haven't gotten sick once, eating on the streets of Mexico. I am not saying it is fool proof...just saying it has worked for me;) Sadly, The Farmer didn't find the amazing tacos this trip...he was pretty sad about that. We began our journey early one morning to the town of Puebla, it was about a 2 hour drive from Mexico City. As we left, The Farmer assured me that we would find some great food along the way for our breakfast. Sure enough, as we climbed into the nearby mountains, we came to a little roadside stop, that was full of little stands...each begging us to enjoy breakfast with them. The Farmer selected the little stand...and as we exited the car, we realized that it had become very cold. The people who owned the stand offered us a table next to a cozy fire they had going. It was perfect!

 

The wood burning stove/grill, was loaded with food that was being prepared for the day.

All the ingredients were made from scratch and fresh.

 

The Farmer placed our breakfast order...and we waited as fresh tortillas were made and a Flor de Calabaza quesidilla was prepared. The salsas were the best! Freshly made just as we sat down to eat. Next came a regular quesidilla, made from fresh cheese, fresh tortillas and again amazing salsa. YUM!!

 

The culture in Southern Mexico is incredible! Because I haven't been too far South in a long time...I had forgotten how beautiful the culture is...and how much I enjoy it!

 

These are freshly roasted Poblano peppers...just off the grill, and being peeled for a Poblano Relleno.

 

The altar inside the roadside stand...

 

My feet...warming by the fire next to our table...

Papitas y Pepinos....

Our arrival to Chihuahua City was pretty uneventful...except of course for all of

the toll booths that we were required to "visit" along the way! The only good thing

about those toll booths are the extremely clean bathrooms that are close by.  Make a little

mental note about that if you are planning any kind of travel in Mexico. Clean bathrooms

are very hard to find.  Early Thursday morning, after a breakfast meeting....The Farmer guided

us with precision to the heart of Chihuahua City.  The streets are far from straight and people

drive fast.  If you are not on your driving game you will be eaten for lunch!

"Honk if you love Jesus!!"

That is a little note from me to The Farmer...he knows just what that means;)

Anyway, so again, we were headed to another "Farmer Meeting" so The Farmer parked the

car and we began to walk the streets of Chihuahua.  He said...

"I am going to get you something that tastes really good...and you are going to like it!"

And next thing I knew we were standing in front of a potato chip cart.  I can really appreciate

the street chips of Mexico.  The are homemade, and they are YUM!

This cart is a favorite stop of The Farmer when he is in Chihuahua,

and this is why...

It is not just a regular cup of chips..in fact there is nothing regular about them!

Here's how it works...you walk up to the cart...the people who work at the cart are often visiting

with each other..or a customer....so you have to wait until the conversation breaks...then

you place your order...."A cup of chips...please...." in Spanish of course;)

And then the process begins....the cup is selected, either large or small...fresh lemon is squeezed

onto the chips, and then a large scoop of freshly chopped cucumbers is placed on top.

And then this is when it gets good....

 In the front of the chip cart a special metal rack has been constructed to hold

different bottles of chile.  And any type of chile that your heart desires...is included

in the collection of bottles.  The is also a few bottles of a liquid seasoning called

Magi...it is like a Worcestershire sauce and a soy sauce combined... it is commonly used

on chips, on popcorn..and just about everything else in Northern Mexico.

The Farmer has this down to a science...he asks for extra lemon, (which is really lime) juice

on his chips, then he adds a few shakes of Magi... and an extra dose of Valentina, which

is a favorite chile sauce similar to a Tabasco sauce which is very loved in our neck of the woods.

The construction of Papita y Pepino....is an art!

They were really tasty!  I quite enjoyed the chips and cucumbers.

Street food in Mexico is an interesting thing, and a constant adventure.

Thank you to The Farmer for taking me to his favorite chip cart...

on the streets of Chihuahua!
Life is certainly not boring when The Farmer is around!

It's All About The Burrito.....

Recently I have learned that the Eskimo's have as many as 100 different words to describe the

word "snow"....because it is such a big part of their lives.  Likewise, in this culture the Burrito

plays an equally important role in most every home......most everyday!

A burrito can be  filled with just about anything....and trust me....they are!

For instance in the southern part of Mexico, they are filled with crickets and stink bugs...

and according to The Farmer they really didn't taste too bad.  It's the thought that is painful!

When a burrito stand is exceptionally good...the word spreads fast.

In our town...there are MANY locations to purchase a burrito.  And while we are traveling

there are certain locations that we are sure to stop...because of good burritos.

Infact we have been known to find certain burrito vendors...in certain towns...because

after sampling many different vendors burritos...his are the best!

(But you have to arrive early in the day...otherwise you are out of luck!!)

While visiting with one of my brother-in-laws the other day, he asked if we had been to the

newly discovered burrito stand on the far end of town. 

 He told me where it was located...and told me that people drive

a great distance to eat a burrito from this place.  I asked him why he thought it was so good,

and he thought for a moment...and said he didn't really know why...just that the ingredients seemed

really fresh and the tortillas were made fresh each day.  Now....burritos are a very important

part of the food of this area.  They are simple to make...and they are eaten daily for

atleast one meal...maybe two.  Here would be an example.....

At our house, we very often begin the day with a Breakfast Burrito.

This would have eggs, sauteed vegetbles and a little bit of bacon or sausage.

The are warm and filling...and keep The Darlings...and The Farmer full until lunchtime.

Then for lunch, the working class take burritos with them to their various jobs and when

lunchtime arrives...a small fire is constructed and the burritos are warmed and toasted

over an open fire.  The Boy spent much of his youth in the orchards or on the farms,

working along side the "workmen"...he would never allow me to fix him a lunch to take...

but would tell me that the men would bring extra burritos for him to enjoy...and he would rather

eat those than anything else in the world.  He would then return home and tell me how very

yummy those burritos were...and I should really learn to make beans like the wives of

the men he worked with.  On days he wasn't working...or at school....he would seek out

burritos to satisfy his hunger pains.  He is a true conisuer of the burrito.

Ask him the best locations in our town to get a burrito...and he is sure to name serveral locations

and why each one was good.  When his mission call arrived...that was one of my first comments..

"Where will he find a burrito in England...???"

I am sure that is something he is really missing.

This new burrito stand has fast become our favoirte!

The Farmer's brother was right....they are very good burritos.  Just a little side note about

The Farmer's brother....he should really become a local food critic...in fact maybe he should

write a blog about our local food;)....He has been to most all local eating establishments....

and is happy to tell you which is good...and which is not! 

(just a suggestion....hehe!)

The Rooster's personal favoirte is...Papa con queso...and a little chile...

The Farmer's favorite is shredded beef..a la Mexicana....which he says is pretty dang good.

(I haven't eaten it because it is too spicy for me!)

The Frijol con Asadero (a yummy local cheese)...is always tasty....

And yesterday The Farmer tried the chile relleno burrito...which...again...he said was great!

(Frijol con Asadero)

Shredded beef....A La Mexicana....

The Rooster spent another day...yesterday...at The Farm thrashing the beans....he worked a

long and full day, in fact we couldn't find him around 7:30 last night....and after calling his name...

inside and outside the house...I walked into his bedroom and found him sound asleep

tucked into his bed.  He was a tired Rooster.

While The Rooster was working....we headed to the burrito stand and purchased several burritos

and took them to him for his lunch.  He was very happy when the burritos arrived!!

Burritos...a simple staple of life in our nieghborhood.....

And we sure do appreciate a great burrito when we find one!!

Dia De Los Muertos...

Just a few years ago, Halloween was totally different than how we celebrate it today.

It used to be that huge groups of people would come from all areas of the city to

Trick or Treat in our community. Everyone one in our community was generous and handed

out bags and bags of candy each year. Instead of saying "trick or treat" the very simply

costumed children, (and not so "children" children) would chant the words "Halloween."

Costumes were never elaborate, in fact most of the time faces were painted and that was it.

The streets would fill with children....and not so small children....seeking candy.

The event would begin before the sun went down and end late into the night with a

few teenagers in the streets. Very often the streets would be so full with trick or treaters,

that it was impossible for cars to drive on the streets.

Things are different now....much quieter. Because of the safety issues, the school now

hosts a Halloween event, to allow the children to "trunk or treat," instead of being on the streets.

Our church also plans a Fall Festival, again for the children and families to celebrate in safety.

Our Fall Festival was so nice this year. Trunk or treating was a success and the children

left with more candy than they needed;) We ate some yummy soup and rolls,

and the children enjoyed a "Haunted Hayride" in the orchard. It was a perfect evening!

The following Monday and Tuesday we celebrated Dia de Los Muertos.

Traditionally, in Mexico, displays are made to honor those who have passed. This year

The Farmer's office staff, wanted to do something kind for him, and so they made a display for The Farmer's Father, who passed away several years ago. Everything that is a part of the display has meaning. They even arrived early to work,

to make Grandpa M's favorite foods,(steak, avocado,coke, and apples.)

They really went to alot of work. Many family members stopped by the office

to admire the display. The Farmer's Mother was very touched.

Special sweet breads are made to celebrate this day....these have bones accross the top...

The Darlings thought they were pretty tasty!

In the afternoon, the family met at the cemetary. It was filled with many families cleaning

their family plots and placing flowers on their loved ones graves.

Uncle Merriner joined us. He is the one who makes sure that our family plot is cleaned

and in order. He has set a great example for all of us. He is a wonderful man.

It is so fantastic that The Darlings are being raised by different generations of family.

Uncle Merriner has played a great role in their lives...he has always been interested in them, and kind to them. We love our Tio! It was a wonderful day, it was great to pay tribute

to those who have gone before us!

Torta/Tostada......YUM!

Saturday morning began early....

It started with a suprise visitor from my childhood....

and then continued with a family trip to the mountiain for a very literal treasure hunt.

(more on that later)

We could not go to the mountains without a lunch, and because the morning had been

taken up with alot of visitng, The Farmer suggested that we pick up some

TORTAS and TOSTADAS on the way.


Chuma....is a favorite place in the whole world for a

TORTA/TOSTADA

People have been known to fly their small planes....into our little town....just for a

TORTA/TOSTADA.

This place is located in the "centro" which is the center of town. It is the closest thing that we have to fast food. We pull up in front of the store, and a little guy runs out to your truck to take your order. You place your order, and he runs back in and begins to make your order.
*just a side note that will not mean anything to anyone but me.....

the place next door...Mundo's....was the place my kids all recieved their first haircuts....

we went there for years and the same ladies cut The Darlings hair.

Another joy of a small town!

What is a TORTA??

It is a Bolio (bread) with a layer of,

Mayo

Mustard

Sliced Pork

Pickled Jalapeno

Sliced Tomato

Lots of Avocado

then the other end of the Bolil, which has mayo and mustard again.


A TOSTADA, would be all of the same ingredients,

but instead of the bolio, all of the yummy goodness would

be held together with two fried corn tortillas.

YUM!!!


Each are hand made to order.

Because we had other family members along with us, our order was around 25

TORTAS/TOSTADS, and I will say that they had them made and out to our truck faster than

most fast food places in the U.S.


While we were waiting for our order, The Farmer suggested that I go inside and photograph the process of the TORTA/TOSTADA, being made. When I asked the owner if that would be possible, he smiled a huge smile and said with gusto, "Si!"

So I began taking pictures......

I guys were a little shy at first....but they settled in quickly. I could hear the other workers in the back laughing and teasing the guys in the front....

They all laughed.

When I asked them if they would all like their pictures taken, they lined up quickly....
and they smiled big!

(I am having pictures printed to take to them)

A trip to our area would not be complete without a TORTA/TOSTADA!

It is a taste of Mexico.....

Chilindrinas

Oh they are tasty.....yes they are!!

We just ended the stake basketball tournament for the youth....it is always a great time.

Not a far cry from the movie "Church Ball"...I mean, there is a reason that they made the movie, right??? It is always fun for us to watch The Boy and PreShie play.... and who knew

that The Rooster would have such a great time too! He's a crowd pleaser, that Rooster....

he had alot of people cheering for him, even the opposing team;)

The Farmer came home from "the games" one evening grinning from ear to ear...and so I had to ask...."what's got you so happy??" to which he answered....

"CHILINDRINAS!"

"they have them at the games.....oh I really like Chilindrinas, let's go get one...."

and so we did. We went to "the games" for the sole purpose of getting a

CHILINDRINA

They are not found everywhere....it has to be a basketball tournament....a fundraiser at the school....or some other similar gathering. I might add, that Saturday night, I did scout out a location that does sell them year round.....Horray!

(if you need to know where...give me a ring....hehe....)

If you are wondering......

"What exactly is a CHILINDRINA???"

here you go....

Layer #1 - a pasta like sheet of goodness that has been cooked in the microwave until it puffs up,

we call them- chicharon - which is actually fried pig skin....this is a fake chicharon....

Layer #2 - you can choose refried beans....or not....

Layer #3 - avocado

Layer #4 - shredded lettuce

Layer #5 - finely diced cucumber (I always order extra)

Layer #6 - finely diced tomato

Layer #7 - a dribble or two of cream....not sour cream....CREAM

Layer #8 - Valentina - chile sauce - as much as you would like....(I take just a little.)

And there you have it....

perfect yumminess!!

If you are wondering why I didn't post a picture of me eating my CHILINDRINA....

well, it was because I had it all over me! With each bite more and more....fell on the floor....

on me....it was all over my hands.... and all over my face.....it was everywhere!

But, oh, was it worth it!

Horray for the

CHILINDRINA!!!

(another yummy taste of Mexico!)