We’re safely home from an enjoyable weekend (too short!) with family in Florida. The weather was perfect, the birthday celebration was terrific, and the antiquing was fun, too. I’ll post some photos of my finds later this week. In the meantime, we’re leaving for St. Simon’s Island this afternoon.
It’s a business trip.
Really.
It is.
We’re heading south this weekend to central Florida. The main event will be celebrating my mother-in-law’s birthday with my husband’s siblings and their respective families. The cousins will be together and will make doughnuts one morning, a longstanding and delicious tradition. Some of us will shoot. And some of us, including me, will spend at least one day antiquing at the Renninger’s Extravaganza in Mount Dora, Florida. It’s a tradition for my sisters-in-law and me to attend each winter. I am beside myself with excitement.
The Extrav consists of acres and acres of dealers and wares, ranging from items euphemistically dubbed “collectibles” to the sublime—Tennessee sugar chest, anyone? Some booths are elegantly staged; others are, well, honestly, they are simply random items displayed on the grass or a piece of tarp. Most dealers opt for a few folding tables to showcase the “smalls,” placing furniture and larger pieces around the perimeter of their spaces.
In the past, I’ve found furniture, paintings, lithographs, etchings, rugs, lamps, and well, I could go on and on. For years, each of us girls (another euphemism) had a long list of specific items she hoped to find. Now, we’re all in the “upgrade” phase of antiquing, which means we’re really only interested in furniture if the piece is a much better replacement for something we already have. (The replaced piece may either be sold, or more likely, stored for one of our children’s first apartment.) This year, specifically, I’m looking for:
old leather books in English,
rose medallion porcelain,
and American coin silver.
So, my “hit list” is rather short, which means the possibility of finding some unexpected wonderful “gets” is deliciously unlimited.
I’m feeling rather giddy.
For all the pink and green lovers, myself included, here are a few fun finds to brighten up these winter days!
A new ironing board cover from Marshall’s Home Goods. Who doesn’t need a bit of cheer when ironing?
Charming cupcake papers from Hobby Lobby. I’m setting these aside for Little’s birthday cupcakes.
Yes, preppies, even Peru knows that pink and green is a winning combination. This sweet blanket is the newest addition to Little’s bedroom.
A bright new collar for Maid Marian!
Polka-dot preppie scarves from Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry!
And earrings!
What are your favorite pink and green finds this season?
Clearly, Julia Child’s inspiration was foremost in the planning. The main course had to be bouef bourguignon. But wait. I’m no Julia Child, a remarkable cook who was able to devote hours to perfecting every recipe. I’m more of an Ina Garten style cook, so it was the Barefoot Contessa’s recipe that I referenced. I also took her advice and served the beef on toasted sourdough bread rubbed with garlic. 
Dear friends.
The Mister and me.
Bon appetit!Much of the East Coast and Midwest has suffered relentless snowfall for most of the winter, but in our little corner of the South, snow is rare and still celebrated. Our street is steep and shady, so a city crew closed it sometime in the wee hours.
We tend to get lots of ice, which is beautiful for about half an hour—then the power lines and tree limbs start breaking. Anyhow, last night we had real snow—snowman snow—and it is beautiful!
This morning I pulled on my LL Bean Norwegian sweater (circa 1988), my red LL Bean snow boots (bought in 2006 for a school field trip to Washington, DC), my Pendleton scarf (circa 1984), and my Lands End cap and turtleneck (also mid1980s vintage). Then, we all went out to play in the snow. 
Big, Middle, and Little slid down our driveway and hurled snowballs at one another.
Maid Marian had a spring in her step as she bounded through the white stuff.
The Mister and I chatted with the neighbors, and then the Mister made snow cream, a delight for the children.
The sun is out now, and I imagine that most of the snow will be gone by evening, leaving slush to refreeze. For everyone dealing with much more serious and inconvenient winter weather, be careful. 
Spring will come again!
Yes, we were on a mission, but I managed to work in a little shopping. It is astounding to contemplate the contrast that is Peru, as well as that of other developing nations. My first foray into shopping was in Chimbote, where—accompanied by Big, another member of our team, and a Peruvian translator, I ventured into the city’s main market. We were hoping to find juice drinks for the carnival we had planned for the children.
Acres of goods in the Chimbote mercado.
Fresh cuts of goat hang alongside gym shorts.
Varieties of corn and grains, such as quinoa, from the mountain farms. Prices are in soles.
Varieties of green beans.
Corn, chiles, limes.
Mermaid juice bottles.
At last, a vendor who has the 200 juice bottles we need.
Black corn and red, blue, or yellow potatoes.
Our group had two doctors and two nurses who worked from sun up to sun down each day in the indigent hospital. Although they dealt with many run-of-the-mill ailments and diagnoses, they also faced diseases and traumas never seen in the United States. The intricacies of the Peruvian health care system defy comprehension. For instance, when hospital patients receive a prescription—even for medicine they must take while hospitalized—they are responsible for obtaining the medicine from a pharmacy and having it brought in to the hospital to be dispensed by a nurse. So, here we are at a nearby pharmacy, purchasing various prescriptions and buying diapers for some of the children in the pediatric unit.
At the Pharmacy; that’s Big on the right.
My next shopping expedition was taking some high school girls shopping for school supplies. School starts March 1. Our destination was Plaza Vea, a modern shopping venue that opened a little more than a month ago. As you can see from the photo, middle class Chimboteans are loving it. It will undoubtedly mean the loss of smaller mom-and-pop bodegas and tiendas.
Inca Kola, the drink of Peru. Tastes like bubble gum; owned by—who else?—Coca-Cola.
The bakery counter featured an array of tortes.
My final shopping adventure was at the Indian Market in the Mira Flores neighborhood of Lima. Somewhat like a vast outdoor mall, the Indian Market is the place to shop for traditional Peruvian handcrafts as well as for jewelry, silver, and works by local artists.
Fine wool scarves for co-workers.
Pink and green for my preppy readers.
The Mister and I bought a couple of things for ourselves, one being this alpaca blanket, which we are using as a throw in the family room. High quality alpaca and baby alpaca are similar in quality to Scottish cashmere. It is not quite as soft, but it does not pill. It is quite silky, making it perfect for scarves, as well.
Unfortunately my photography skills are lacking, but another favorite find are these coasters. Handpainted glass backed with wood, they are really much more elegant than they look here.
My final purchase was Peruvian coffee, dark and rich. Next time, though, I think I’ll be doing a lot of Christmas shopping at the Indian market. In the meantime, I’ll be watching the Olympics under my alpaca blanket!
Breakfasts were generally a corn mush with bits of olive and hard-boiled egg hidden inside and wrapped in corn husk. It was a little like polenta or grits. Every breakfast was accompanied by fresh mango and watermelon. The fruit was really unbelievably good. I am not a huge mango fan, but these were incredible. Many of us gringos grew addicted to peanut butter & mango sandwiches. Every watermelon was like the best melon of the summer.
Chicken and rice were the dinner staples, although a far cry from the comfort-food version we often serve in the South. This was arroz con pollo with a kick, and, the kick most likely came from the extremely fresh chickens, which were still clucking at breakfast. One evening we had cuy, or guinea pig, which is a delicacy in Peru. 
When cuy (pronounced coo-ey) is served in a traditional household, the oldest son is served the head. Let me just say that I enjoy being a girl. Goat is another popular entree in Peru, although among the poor, all meats and poultry are considered rare and special treats. 
Bakeries line the streets of Lima, and the pastries are delicious when accompanied by a cup of Peruvian coffee. Orejitas (or elephant ears) were our favorite. Apricot-filled horns were tasty, too.
Before, home of Manuel y Isabel, Luz, Anna, y Manuel Jesus
The old house has been torn down, and the new estera house is near completion.
Anna in her new room with her toys—all of them.
Our helpers, las architectas, Sayudi y Brenda
