Chutni with LeeLaa Jii

"CHUTNI" is a word used to describe any "sauce"
However- this specific chutni functions/tastes more like our salsa.

So of course I asked LeeLaa Jii to teach me how she makes it, and she graciously agreed.

Thought I would share our kitchen adventures.
(In case you were bored one day and wanted to make it yourself :)

1.) Place the tomatoes over the burner and allow the flames to singe the skin,
This does two things: allows the skin to be peeled easily, and begins cooking the tomato.

I love spending time in the kitchen with this lady :)

We have to move across town which means we will have a new house helper.
I have grown to treasure this woman, and I am really going to miss her dearly.


Anyways...
2.) Once most of the skin has been singed and the tomato starts to soften-
remove them from the flame, dip them in water, and remove the skin
3.) Take tomatoes and run though the large holes on a "cheese" grater by hand to 'puree'- dump into a bowl

3.) Chop up two green chile peppers
4.) Peel several cloves of garlic and grate them so they are fine.
5.) Dump 1 tsp. salt to the above two while on the cutting board
6.) Take a rolling pin and crush well the above (step 3-5) ingredients together.
*Optional: You may also grate a little ginger as well to add some antioxidants

7.) Peel & finely chop a small onion and add to tomato mix, as well as the crushed pepper mix

8.) Stir & Taste- see if additional salt or other flavoring is needed.
9.) If all is well- Add some baked tortillas to the picture and ENJOY!
Chips & Chutni :)

* If you are reading this post- I would love for you to just take a few minutes to pray for this precious woman who, at this point, does not know the Father's love.
Thank You!

:: CHILLAXIN' ::

" How to Make Chai "

Chai is a daily part of life here in South Asia and we LOVE it!

So much so....
that we thought we would share the recipe.

INGREDIENTS:
(The following instructions will be for TWO "small" cups of chai- so adjust the recipe as needed)
*This is also approximately the same amount as a normal coffee mug in America.


STEP 1: Pour ONE chai mug of water into a small pan and heat over med.-high flame

STEP 2: Scoop ONE teaspoonful of "chai patti" (loose tea leaves) into the water


STEP 3: Put two spoonfuls (and then a tad more) of sugar into same pan
We tend to lean toward the generous side when sweetening our chai ;)


STEP 4: Take ONE of these small little "seed" looking things = "Elaichi"
In English it's CARDAMON


STEP 5: Find something hard (here a rolling pin is used) & smash it (like a hammer) to crack it open a little (you should see some loose seeds inside)- Dump it into pan- casing & all.
You could also just pull the shell apart and dump those little black pieces into the pan.


***OPTIONAL: If you can find ginger root- you can grate a little into the chai for flavor
(and its good for ya) :)
OTHER Options- Some people like to add cinnamon, or cloves as well.  Really the opportunities are endless- add whatever you want whenever you feel like experimenting.


STEP 6: Stir & let tea boil (at a medium level) a good 3-4 minutes (so it has time to brew).

STEP 7: Once it has brewed some- Stir

STEP 8: The Add ONE chai mug of milk

STEP 9: Stir & check the color- should be a light brown-ish (similar to below)
*I actually think I should have added a "tad" more milk in the picture below

STEP 10: Let boil for another 2-3 minutes until the "froth" starts to rise up in the pan.
Give it a good stir & turn off the flame (pretty quickly or else it will boil over).

STEP 11: Holding the filter over each mug, pour the chai through until each mug is filled.


STEP 12: Drink it up & Enjoy!
* Even better with some light & yummy sweet biscuits

Now if only we could sit down over chai and chat together.
Instead- we would love, while you are drinking your chai, for you to take
a few minutes and pray for South Asia.

Thanks for taking a "chai break" with us :)

Love to hang with the "G" Gang

As we were traveling after Christmas, we stayed with a W.O.N.D.E.R.F.U.L. family- the "G" gang.
They are a precious family of 6 and are about to add one more tiny member any day now.
So excited for them :)

Craig & I had a such a great time staying up chatting with them while sipping on some Starbucks Breakfast Blend coffee and playing Settlers of Catan.
Levi was in his glory with so many other "little" people around to play with.
Even some of the Indian kids came over to say hello! (Top left)

Outside + Dirt + a Ball = DEFINITE Good Time

Thank you "G" Gang for being such wonderful hosts and friends!

. Precious Cargo .

"Tractors" Galore!

If Levi didn't know what a "Tractor" really was before Christmas, he does now :)

Check out his collection:

He went from 0 to 10 (6 actual tractors and 4 books about them)
Thank you everyone who contributed!


Oh how he loves his "tractors"

Chuck the Truck and his Gang is ALL here too :)
In his mind, these are all "Tractors" as well...

Who knew "Tractors" could bring so much joy to a little guy?

::Our First Christmas Morning in South Asia ::

First of all, Thank you to all of you who were praying for us this Christmas.
We truly did have a great First Christmas in South Asia.

"Yea- Fanks Guys!"
-Levi

As you can see, we had plenty of presents under the tree...
In fact- we ran out of room and had to make a present pile in the corner (see far right)

We LOVED all of the fun wrapped presents we received in packages- Thanks Y'all!



Levi was so funny- he went straight for his little toy corner and paid little attention to all of the wrapped presents that were scattered all throughout the room. Check out his progression below:
Top Left: "Hmmm- I've played enough here- I think I will see what is going on in my nativity"
Top Right: "Whoa- what is all this stuff- weird!"
Bottom Left: "Oh there are my friends in my nativity set"
Bottom Right: " What? I'm just hanging out with Jesus and the crew- what's the big deal?"
:)

His eyes were cracking me up in this picture!

Levi was hanging out in one of his new "toy baskets" from Mama & Papa

"I missed you all- and wished I could give you a great big Christmas hug!"

We were able to skype with some of our family members, so although we missed being close by to all of our loved ones, we are so grateful that we were able to still have them as part of our day!

"MEWWY CWISSMAS and HABBY NEWWW YEAW!"

...::* 15 MONTHS OLD *::....

January 12, 2012
Today our Levi Elliot is 15 months old.

~15 MONTH Stats~

Height: 28.7 inches (73 cm) ~ Below 5th percentile
Weight: 20 lbs. 15 oz (9.485 kg)~ Between 5th-10th percentile
Head Circumference: 49 cm ~ above 95th percentile (no that was not a typo ;)
[ We like to think our son takes after us- small in stature, but WISE beyond his years- hahaha.
Ok ok ok- you can stop laughing now :) ]

Here is how our photo shoot went:







~ Memories & Milestones ~

• Lots of new words: Dog, Ball, Tractor, "Beep Beep", "Choo Choo", Dat
  
• Nov. 1st- You officially started walking (and haven't slowed down since :)
• 13 months- fell in LOVE with BATH TIME- we especially love your "super excited" RUN when you hear the water drawing in the "tub"- hilarious!
• Nov. 21st - First Haircut @ "Papa's barber shop"
• 13 months- started blowing kisses (with the sound and all)
• 14 months- we learned that little kiddos get the best "belly" laughs out of you
• Your love for trucks, cars, & "tractors" has not faded one bit
• Reading books at bedtime is one of your favorite things to do
• Still sing your "lullaby" as you fall asleep
  
• 14 months- Head Butting began~ mommy, the floor!, your chair, pillows... when you get frustrated b/c you can't get the legos together or angry because Mama wouldn't give you your 15th cracker... LOOK OUT! We all know that head is serious (See stats above- lol)
  
• 14-15 months- Helping to get dressed, even lifting your foot to help put on shoes & socks
• Dec. 18th- UNDERSTOOD "Take this to Daddy" b/c you took it in your hands... thought... turned... walked out of the kitchen... and straight to Papa. GOOD Job!
• Dec. 24th- Gave away your first kiss to little Anna
  
• 15 months- Bedtime Pillow Pouncing began- Giggles Galore!
• You think sweet potatoes and Papa's pancakes are the best thing since grilled cheese :)
  
• Dec. 25th- First Christmas in India
• Dec. 29th- discovered walking backwards
• Jan. 2nd- sticking out tongue all the time- you love playing with it
• Jan. 8th- First night sleeping in a "BIG" bed.
• Jan. 11th- figured out how to climb back up onto the bed with your little stool- what a fun game it has become getting down and up, down and up, down and up.
  

Our Treasure, Our Joy, Our Son...

Levi Elliot,

The past three months are so FULL of wonderful moments with you. You have taken so many strides (both literal and figurative). Your face lights up the world around you, especially Mama & Papa's world. We love watching you learn so many things, and enjoy learning right along with you.

You teach us so much- we learn patience... deeper than that- you show us how patient our Father in Heaven is with us.

You teach us the beauty of a parent's love... and through this we are reminded how our Father loves us the same way... simply because we are "His" and not because of what we do or don't do.

As we move forward into the coming months and years, our prayer is that you will take in this world around you and that God would make your heart tender toward His people. That you would long to connect and love people the way He does.

~Love holding your hand and cheering you on in your Life Journey~

Our love is yours... Forever,

Mama & Papa

:: Village Visit ::

"Hey guys- Before Christmas Mama, Papa, and I all got to visit a nearby village...
It is home to my babysitters "Chacha and Diidii's" helper.
She adores my blue eyes and big smile, so she invited us all out to spend the day at her home.
Come along and check out our journeys:"
-Levi

(Left) This is a common way that you will find locals- squatting- all while:
cleaning dishes, doing laundry, drinking chai, working, etc...
(Right & Below)- some shots of the village

This cute little boy was so fun- every time I tried to take a picture of him he would try to run away before I could snap the photo- but as you can see "I got him!"... so so fun :)

And of course- the LIFE of the party!

Some precious ladies from the village.
(And Levi stealing some loving from them)

"Thanks for coming with us- I had so much fun. I'll be back soon with more smiles and stories"
-Little man Levi

*My camera battery died not long after we got there, so unfortunately we cannot show you this gorgeous (dried up) river bed we got to walk through or the little boys we met that Levi loved to laugh with... and I mean deep belly laugh. We all loved watching them interact!