Where to begin? I can't believe, again, that so much time has gone by. Life has been so busy I can't remember everything to share to catch you up. As I said, we got word that our visas were approved so off our passports, old and new, went to Quito for the visa stamp. Two weeks later the new visas, with the official visa stamp affixed, were returned. The old passorts were not included for some reason. We then got our censo, a little hang up there as the visa number we entered the country with was not the same as the one we presented and the fellow had a hard time getting the computer to let him change the number....in the end all was well, censo - national ID card obtained from the police, in hand. Next stop off the Quito for the cecula. We took the morning flight, $6 taxi to the Civil Registery where we were met by a great gal who had us in and out of there in less than 2 hours, I think a new record. After lunch, we went to a notary with the attorney to have a power of attorney written and signed so the Quito attorney could pick up our cedulas and mail them to Gallo, our attorney here in Cuenca.
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| Sarah and two friends |
We hosted a great 16th birthday party for a friend of ours daughter, Sarita (Sarah). She was so surprised!
New visa, censo, and cedula in hand I made a quick trip to Oregon for my Mom's 86th brithday and Mother's Day. Jack and Iggy held down the fort. Four days of travel and four days of visit with mom, kids, grand kids, and dear friends. The time was sweet but all too short, did not get to see many I would have like to have seen, and the travel a killer. Did manage to bring back good crushed chili pepper, chedder cheese, cayane pepper (although I just found some at SuperMaxi), real semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a few other hard to find things. Iggy and Jack did well I guess. I came home to a new refrigerator and TV. Better take Jack with me next time!!!
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| Karen, Ken, Mom, Shawn and Amy, Richie, Elizabeth and Me |
Now back home in Cuenca, airplane cold and all, we are trying to settle down and develop a routine. We have started Spanish classes at the Chamber of Commerce, now on Wednesdays, it's a good group and Deek is great teacher. Friends who have been here for years say that it takes about a year to find the rythem so we are over half way there!
Been baking, now that I have a supply of baking soda (bicarbonato) from Coral and good chocolate chips. Thought I would share my High Atlitude Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies with you:
1 c shortening or butter
1 c white sugar
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 c flour (iIused 1 c white and 1 c whole wheat)
1 tsp soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1-2 c chocolate chips (if you can's find semi-sweet, try cutting up chuncks of bar chocolate!)
2 c oatmeal
Cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs and vanilla and beat. Mix the dry ingredients together and add to creamed mixture. Stir in chips and oatmeal. Shape into balls with spoon and drop on ungreased cookie sheet (I use parchment paper). Bake 190 c (375) for 12-15 minutes.
Hope you enjoy these. Not sure what adjustment for sea level is! Cuenca is at about 8100 feet!
Take care and I will TRY to be more current with posts!!! As a friend here says "Life is Sweet". Come see us!
