Love-in-a-Box
It was thrilling to receive the wonderful package of goodies sent way down here to Paraguay! My sister, Ann had sent it on December 4th and on my trips to [tooltip text=”Villarrica” gravity=”nw”]A beautiful city nearby, only a 30-minute ride by shuttle bus from Yataity. [/tooltip] several weeks later, I would stop by the post office and check. Each day, the kind lady at the counter would say “No, Yeni, it’s not here yet. It will come from Asuncion, just wait!” One day, there it was! I believe it normally takes about 3 weeks but it took slightly longer this time because it was received during the Christmas/New Year’s holiday week. There is something about getting a package from home that is really, really, really wonderful.
The box arrived in very good shape and looked like it had not been opened. Woohoo! Packets of spices and seeds,oh what aromas emanated from that box. Everything had a light coating of red powder. Hmmm. I dabbed it with my finger, took a taste, and… yum… my eyes got big as I realized….chili powder! A packet had broken open in transit. Nothing was damaged and I enjoyed the flavor of a memorable dish as I began unpacking the box! Just as an indication of how bereft I was from lack of spicy foods, here’s the very first thing I did I didn’t have any ground beef and it would be a few days before I could get some for tacos, so I made a big pot of rice and dumped the whole package of taco seasoning into it, along with tomato sauce and enjoyed bowl after bowl, all in one day.
Hot spices, fajita mix, Tony Chachere’s Original Creole Seasoning. I kept smiling. McCormick’s Grill Mates Fiery 5 Pepper flakes, oh my word! Toasted Sesame and Garlic Stir-fried Chicken Seasoning, I’m in heaven…you know how I love anything sesame. And you can imagine all the uses I have for Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk packets. Baked potato, here I come! Chicken Quesadilla mix, this is going to be so much fun! I’ll grab some [tooltip text=”Rapiditos” gravity=”nw”]Large flour tortillas sold in ziplock packages, just like in the States! [/tooltip] or make some tortillas with my friend, Nalena’s recipe, throw in the cheese and sit down for a feast. The special coffees are fabulous…I am enjoying those good, rich flavors and the fun Cafe’ Francais and Vanilla Caramel. Also, I love having the big ol’ box of Nestle’s Cocoa! I am ready to make a really rich dark chocolate sheet cake from Aunt Mattie’s recipe. Contact my sister, Ann, for the recipe! She makes it often. If you don’t have her contact info, just let me know. I’m sure she won’t mind. 😉 The baking soda is great, too. Typically, in the small towns only tiny cellophane packets are sold here.
A foot scrubber for the shower…. an amazing invention. My feet say [tooltip text=”thank you.” gravity=”nw”]”Thank You!!”[/tooltip] It is impossible to walk around in the pueblos without staining your feet with dirt. Many places have red clay dirt and that is even more staining. I tend to walk around with red-tinged feet because it’s too hot to wear close-toed shoes, so its always sandals. You get the picture. You’ll note in the picture that the foot scrubber — shaped like a foot — has red-stained toes from the chili seasoning spill in the mailing container — It arrived looking like my feet! [tooltip text=”jejeje.” gravity=”nw”]”Ha Ha Ha” in spanish[/tooltip]
The toothpaste to die for…my favorite of all times: Melaleuca’s Cinnamon-flavored, Whitening Tooth Polish – 2 big tubes will last me ’til Ann gets here in April with more! If you want to try some, email Aunt Ann.
L’Oreal True Match Naturale All Over Mineral Glow (I love to glow, don’t you know 😉 and Pixi Wakeup Concealer, best ever.
The gloves will be perfect in winter. Many nights in rural living, I found that it was so cold that all I wanted to do was get in bed and try to read and do research while enveloped in a sleeping bag. I had some cold nights when I gave up trying to read my iPad or laptop in bed because my fingers were just too cold to pull them out from under the covers! The special gloves will be the perfect remedy.
The external cd drive will make for a major improvement in my everyday life because I have been unable to utilize many of the cd’s that come my way, for projects or entertainment. My Macbook Air does not have an internal cd drive so now I have what’s needed – a hugely appreciated item.
Everyone loves seeing the family pictures. Grandmother Allie, Mama, Aunt Ann, Big David, Bess, Lee & David, Hebidis and Mike, Paul and Becca, and Gus-gus. Visitors gravitate to my table full of photos and t really helps to connect when folks are more aware of my family back home, plus I truly enjoy walking by the table, taking a glimpse at them daily.
The seeds are going to be great fun to have. Roma Tomato, Serrano Chile, Straightneck Squash, Zinnias, Cosmos – Pink with Crimson Zone, California Mix. I’m ready. I will begin cultivating some good soil and doing some composting. Interesting thing… Peace Corps provides us with California red worms for use in gardens. Mostly for Ag volunteers, I’m thinking, but isn’t that funny? Just imagine this: I will be going home one day on a three hour bus ride from the capitol city, Asuncion, with backpack, chaco sandals on my feet, hair braided, and holding a styrofoam container of wiggly worms, looking the part, right? On that day, I’ll take a pic for you to see those critters in transit. You don’t have to look at them if you don’t want. I may try to use them without really focusing.
Chili!!! Woohooo, I have been dreaming about a bowl of chili with a side of saltines. Will get some good quality ground beef soon. I was told by a Paraguayan that the best way to get great ground beef here is to ask the butcher for a large piece of quality meat to be ground. He helps you pick out a good cut. Can’t wait.
Thank you to my loving sister, Ann, our friend Kay, and my nephew Paul and his sweet wife, Becca, for their generosity and thoughtfulness. Thank you for going to the trouble of pulling together a special mixture of items, lovingly packing them up, paying the mailing cost, and sending such greatly appreciated kindness all in a 12” x 12” x 5” box (can you believe it?) down to the heart of South America – my Paraguay! I love you all.
