Christmas Eve Eve 2008
December 23rd. Finally, a day that sort of reminds me of Christmas weather. Well, you have to have a lot of latitude with your memories under these circumstances. It was in the 50’s this morning…. cloudy and windy. The locals are wearing winter coats, all of them zipped up, many with hoods! It is so funny. What would they do in Kansas?
I am determined not to have a repeat of our Thanksgiving feast… calzone and the Arabic version of spicy chicken. I broke down and bought one of the gigantic turkeys they have here, weighing in at 31.1 pounds. As I’ve had a lot of experience with holiday turkeys, this will be a prize fight for sure. We’ll see which one of us ends up “roasted.” Today I made brine to soak the turkey in, baked banana bread and white bread and, planned out the rest of our dinner. I’m sure this sounds like nothing – especially to all you master chefs out there. Here, and for me, it is something.
First, I have no measuring cups or measuring spoons. Do they sell them in Egypt? I’m sure they do… but I have none. Then there’s the conversion factor for liquid and dry ingredients. Then, of course, Fahrenheit to Celsius. When I was in elementary school I remember my teacher telling me how the whole world was going to be using metric measurements and it was imperative that I learn them NOW. It was one chapter in our math book and I never visited that again until chemistry in high school! Therefore, these conversions are necessary and a pain in the …. they are a pain.
The oven and cook top do not have electronic ignition. Granted, our home didn’t have that either when I was growing up…. FORTY YEARS AGO! The gas is propane, coming in from a visible pipe through the wall near the stove. We have our very own shut off valve so a slow leak won’t asphyxiate us in the middle of the night or blow us up before I can make pancakes in the morning. Lighting the burners is a little tricky with a regular match, singed skin and all. So, we bought a butane lighter. We got it home and it had no butane. Apparently this is not uncommon, as when we returned it the guy took the butane out from under the counter and proceeded to fill it right up.
Back to the cooking… the banana bread was burned on the bottom – I chopped that right off as soon as it was cool enough. No one will ever know the difference. The white bread recipe SPECIFICALLY stated “put the rack near the bottom of the oven so the top of the bread pan is in the center.” Which I did. You guessed it; the bottom of the white bread was burned as well. It is amazing how delicious bread tastes without the bottom crust. :)
Well, no Christmas carols playing at Town Center or the Plaza, no snow, no “Ho, Ho, Ho” Hoers jingling their bells. And no family or friends to celebrate with. It sounds kind of bleak when you describe the bare facts of our Christmas. We are very thankful for modern communication technologies to keep us in touch with everyone. And, frankly, thankful for cooking fuel, food to cook, and a warm abode. It is amazing how circumstances can alter priorities. My Christmas present this year is a large dose of humble pie. It doesn’t taste very good but it definitely nourishes the soul.
posted by Teresa @ 8:25 AM
4 Comments:
Momma! Thanks for writing; it is SO good to hear from you. I eagerly await your blog updates, and it really is exciting to read about what you have to write. You are a great writer, and you make it so "story-like," with the perfect wording and everything, for a great effect. I love the metaphorical language use and allusion, especially the way that you ended your holiday blog. Anyway, I am so happy that you got a turkey. I hope you can freeze some so that I can eat lots of it while I am visiting. I eat lunch meat turkey just about every day of the year, but I crave REAL turkey all the time, and I only get it around the holidays. I am excited! In terms of the bread, I KNOW that is a really big deal for you, and I am so glad that you decided to attempt to make some. I am quite proud of my mother! I know that you sometimes aren't even in much of a mood to cook bread and baked goods when you have all of the conveniences of the United States. So, it is a double big deal that you endeavored to bake, with the "interesting" circumstances of Egypt. Good work! I know that daddy will appreciate some real holiday food, and I don't think anyone like the bottom part of the bread anyway! LOL
Anyway, I just want you to know that I love you, miss you, and absolutely cannot wait to see you!!! We will have so many memorable adventures, I'm sure of it!
Love always,
Ali
Theresa,
WOW It was a SURPRISE! I just opened your Christmas letter. Your Christmas card from me came back "return to sender" from the Leawood KS address, last one I had. So I was hoping I would hear from you! Egypt!! Wow! Your cooking experience reminded me of Mallorca (1969 after college) at C'an Michealet with no electricity, a 2 burner butane cooktop, or fireplace for cooking, and candles. We ate a lot of stir-fry type dinners! And wonderful European bread. I loved it! What an adventure for you and Ron! I just got off the phone with Melissa and gave her your email and blog address. I retired from teaching and spent the month of August in Alaska with Don Wilson. Trip of a life time. He flew us into the back country wilderness for camping and fishing. Had a great time!
Enjoy your adventure! I will enjoy your blogs!
Pam and Jerry Harding
pamnjl@yahoo.com
Teresa,
Thanks for the update. What an interesting cooking adventure! It reminds me of some of the Stahley cmaping fiascos. I'm glad I wrote stories about the many mishaps and misadventures for posterity. You'll be glad,too. Ask Ron to tell you about the very memorable camping "adventure" Jon and I enjoyed with him in Germany in 1974. We missed you at Christmas, but I'm so glad you and Ron can have this new experience.
Love,
Maureen
Hey Teresa,
I am glad you started your blog.
I hope your Christmas went well and I think - if I remember correctly - Ali should be in town now???
Tell Ali and Ron hello from Dan and Pat.
I really enjoy reading about your adventure. I am enjoying the stories about Egypt through your eyes.
Keep writing. Dan and I just returned from Naples, Florida.
We truly enjoyed all of our conveniences : )
We also enjoyed the wide array of food to choose from. We went to a Chinese Buffet for Christmas Dinner!! It was wonderful!!!!
Take care - I'll write soon.
Pat and Dan in Tinley Par, Illinois
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