Posted on August 24, 2010 - by admin

Hymn

Fairest Lord Jesus

Fairest Lord Jesus! Ruler of all nature!
O Thou of God and man the Son.
Thee will I cherish, Thee will I honor,
Thou, my soul’s glory, joy, and crown!

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands,
Robed in the blooming garb of spring;
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer,
Who makes the woeful heart to sing!

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry host;
Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer,
Than all the angels heaven can boast!
—————————————–
This has long been one of my favorites.

Posted on August 16, 2010 - by admin

No playing allowed.

The above picture is extremely humorous…however, many who have not lived in Romania, or who are not familiar with Romanian culture, won’t quite see why.  Perhaps I can explain it…perhaps not.

Many, many Romanians have left Romania since January 2007, when Romania and Bulgaria were allowed to participate in the EU.  While many are working and working hard in Western European nations now, there is much theft and begging.  In fact, just this week, authorities in France evacuated many Gypsy camps.  Italy has perhaps been the most vigilant, bulldozing camps of Romanians who are squatting on land and working illegally.  It’s true that much of the illegal activity is being carried out by Gypsies.  Well, they also tend to be talented musicians (the accordion is a common instrument), and often make money by playing in popular tourist areas in Western Europe.

This sign above is posted in Denmark (I believe) but in the Romanian language…except for the word ‘play’, which is strange  ’Cante’ would be the Romanian word for playing an instrument.  I don’t know why there is one English word on the sign.  Translated, the sign says, “It’s forbidden to ‘play’ without a license.  Begging also forbidden.”

Posted on August 15, 2010 - by admin

picking flowers

Posted on August 11, 2010 - by admin

Haircut

Posted on August 10, 2010 - by admin

How to cook lamb that melts off the bone.

Ok, so this is not a cooking blog, but I like to eat, and I am discovering that I like to cook too.  Which is a convenient thing for people who like to eat.  Anyway, this Spring we bought a lamb…well, half a lamb because we split one with our neighbors.  Here is a leg of lamb, cooked in a clay pot given to us by Efi, our friend from Greece.

First, massage the lamb with a simple mixture of salt, ground pepper, and oregano.  Cut slits in the meat and put garlic cloves inside.  Let it sit overnight like this in the fridge.

I could almost eat it raw!

Next, put the lamb in the clay pot from Greece that your Greek friend left as a gift when they moved.  Put a bit of olive oil in the bottom first, and then fill in the sides with chopped potatoes, red peppers, red onion and any other veggie you want.  I almost forgot…I wrapped the lamb in bacon!!!

BACON…it’s what’s for dinner!

Place your pot in an oven preheated to 250 Celsius, and cook for 30-45 minutes.  Then reduce heat to about 160 Celsius and cook for another 90 minutes….if you want it done (not bloody) but pretty tender still.

Finished product.  Seriously, the meat was falling off the bones.  It took me tongs and 2 large forks to get it out in one piece.

So good, especially with the homemade flatbread, and ginger iced tea!

This has nothing to do with the lamb meal…but these are delicious too.  They are our homemade sweet and spicy pickles.  And they have some kick to ‘em.

Posted on August 10, 2010 - by admin

Romanian Proverb

“Never stoke the fire that isn’t troubling you.”

“Focul ce nu te supara, nicicum sa-l zgandari.”

Hey, this one is actually Biblical. Proverbs warns us against sticking our nose in other people’s business. Not that there is NEVER a time when it’s appropriate, because sometimes it’s the right thing to do. But, this proverb from Romania fits very well with the general culture here, especially if you can imagine yourself back 20+ years ago, under the communist regime, never knowing who might cause you trouble. Back then, making noise and sticking out was not a good idea. Blending in was the safe route. And blending in often meant sticking to yourself.

Posted on August 2, 2010 - by admin

Smart Blond

Posted on July 20, 2010 - by admin

Romanian Proverbs

“When the water dries up, one learns the value of the well.”

“Cand seaca apa se cunoaste pretul fantanii.”

This proverb is especially timely for us this week.  Our water comes from a spring in the forest.  The spring is collected using a pipe in the ground, that channels the water into some tanks.  The tanks have an exit pipe that allow the water to flow down the hill and split off into smaller and smaller channels, eventually reaching each house.  We also have a well (which we share with our neighbors) as a back-up source.  The well is not very deep, and so in a hot season can provide water for 2-3 days if we conserve it…(no clothes washing, quick showers, no watering the garden, etc).

This week, our water was turned off at the valve that leads to our section of the neighborhood (for reasons I don’t have the patience to explain now).  Plus, because it has been so hot, the well sucked up dry real quick…so in the end, we were without water for about 2 days.   Not bad considering that last October it was almost 6 days without the spring or the well…and our first summer here we had 4 days no water, 3 days with, 3 days without, 2 days with, 2 days without…and so on and so on.

I cannot remember the water turning off ONCE in my 30 years of living in the U.S.   Not once…it may have happened for scheduled maintenance or something, but I don’t recall it.

Posted on July 19, 2010 - by admin

Fara Apa

Day two. No water. Toilets full. One child throwing up. About 99 degrees F outside. Nice!

Posted on July 7, 2010 - by admin

Hymn

Jesus Calls us
Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander and William H Jude

Jesus calls us over the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea,
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, “Christian, follow Me.”

Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love Me more.”

In our joys and in our sorrows,
days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love Me more than these.”

Jesus calls us: by Thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.