.franklin mountains.

i went to the mountains today-
to remember what silence sounds like-
to feel the lightness of the earth's cradle-
to experience the cleansing of the wind washing over me-
to look in the distance and wait for the details to meet me - slowly

to remind myself.

i came home refreshed. the big questions are still right there but i can the feel the big decisions coming.

and i made this, pumpkin bread only i substituted the vegetable oil for coconut oil, switched white for wheat flour, used garam masala spice instead of pumpkin pie spice, added dark chocolate chips, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds.  ok i changed most of the recipe but i highly recommend it.

.weekendy bwino.

How was your weekend? I (brace yourself!) had an action packed weekend in Machinga. Saturday morning I thought the sky was falling…or at least my ceiling was. Um…sitting reading my morning meditation book – concentrating – focusing – striving – to stay present ::crumbling::. Ignore the distractions. Wait something is actually falling. My ceiling!!  Seriously, my pioneer mansion has a metal roof (full of leaks) and then an inside sheetrock-esk ceiling layer. Between the heavy rains and the age of it (and a mystery cat trapped up there) it’s slowly been falling down section by section all week. I have yet to see or hear a cat but my gardener/watchman SWEARS to it. Hmm…All I care about is what will be left of my ceiling by next weekend?? The excitement continued when I was invited to a chibuku powered soccer match. We lost 2-4. But no worries the celebratory goat roast was still on! I’ll admit I skipped out on this to welcome my FIRST house guests for the weekend! Jessica, a fellow Response Volunteer living in the central region came down to visit with her friend along with the Liwonde crew. It was great! We ate homemade tortillas, guacamole, and beans on the front porch staying up until the wee hour 12am!! Sunday morning we enjoyed a lovely brunch of chai tea, rosemary flatbread, and an egg scramble before they set off.

I think the pioneer mansion is meant for entertaining. Who wants to come next???

Pictures:

1. The goalie with a snake crown?? In case you're wondering it wasn't a good luck charm.

2. Even Obama made it out for the game.

3. Where my ceiling USE to be.

4. Sir Osborne. <3

.cooking in malawi.

chik’n and green bean pasta in a white sauce
This recipe is good for 2 small stomaches (or a cute dinner guest wearing hot pink shorts!) or 1 really hungry person!

Ingedigents

½ cup "chik'n" soya (TVP)
½ cup green beans (snapped)
3 cloves garlic (minced)
1 cup spaghetti noodles
2 tablespoons butter (the more you add the more flavor you’ll have but at least to cover the beans)
1 cup of milk or (substitute, I used powered milk)
1 tablespoon flour
Italian seasonings (oregano, thyme, basil, etc.) al gusto
Salt & Pepper al gusto
-------------------------------------

*Boil your noodles (I like mine a little al dente) the classic test is to throw the noodle on the wall and if it sticks then it’s READY!

*Melt butter in pan.

*When butter is melted add minced garlic and snapped beans, let simmer for a few minutes

*Add flour and mix into bean/garlic sauté well, let cook for a few minutes (keep stirring!!)

*Add salt, pepper, and seasoning as you like.

*Add TVP and milk (or substitute) and whisk vigorously.

*Let simmer until desired thickness!

Buen Provecho!