Where there is a will, there is a way

While in the US these 4 months, I was introduced to the frappuccino and fell head over heals. The last one I had was 12 hours before we got on the plane. Somehow I found myself in Target with Ken buying some last minute items to take back to Brazil. There was a Starbucks at the entrance, so while Ken was off hunting down what we needed, I had my last Java Chip Frappuccino...

This is a recipe (from my sister once again!) that will hold me over just nicely till I make my way back to the US again. In fact, I may never step foot in another Starbucks again!

I had been looking forward to making this ever since we got home a week ago. At the grocery store, the ingredients started to come together. Mixed it up when I got home and had it chilling in the fridge for that "mid-evening" relax time after all the pressing things of the day were done.

FRAPPUCCINO

Mix in a 2 quart pitcher:

1 quart (4 cups) Chocolate milk

1 can sweetened condensed milk

8 oz. (1 cup) very strong coffee (either regular or decaff)

Store in refrigerator until ready to use. When ready to make your drink, put ice cubes or crushed ice in blender and pour enough mix in to cover the ice. Blend and enjoy!

A shot of Ready Whip and a little chocolate syrup makes a nice finishing touch. I priced a can of it here at my local grocery store: $ 6.00 a can. In that case, I think I can do without the whipped cream. :)

Starbucks, eat your heart out!

There's no place like home...there's no place like home...

Greg Dyche helped load the back of his Suburban and took us to the airport...how all the luggage and 5 people fit, is beyond me!

Unloading baggage at Epply in Omaha.

Eric Townsend met us at the airport with goodies in hand to wish us on our way...little did he know what he would be roped into doing.

We arrived before the ticket agents!

Re-packing in the middle of the airport...oh, the looks we got from other early-morning travelers. What took 10 hours to pack the day before, took only 55 minutes to redistribute the weight and diminish our bags by 3 volumes. If it hadn't been for Eric's help, we wouldn't have made it.

Delta originally told us that we could only take 1 - 50lb bag a piece, but the angel that orquestrated our "check-in" said because our flight originated in Brazil, we could have 2 - 70lb bags a piece. Never mind that she would also check them through to Fortaleza! Woo-hoo! No handling them in Miami!

Eric not only helped with the re-packing effort, but brought breakfast. Cream-filled....mmmm!

Alicia with a very helpful employee at TAM, who just happens to be...

In Rio we had to endure 3 grueling hours in customs (no pictures please!) and missed our flight. As they say in Brazil, "no have problem". TAM put us on a flight that took us to Salvador, Recife and FINALLY to Fortaleza.

....Elvis? Go figure!

yes, Toto...we are on our way home!

Harvest

Anabel posing on the tractor.

Harvest has been fascinating for all of us as we have watched the crops turning from deep green to golden yellow to dry brown. The girls had the opportunity to each take a round and watch the combine fill up with soybeans this past week. If you ask Anabel, she would also inform you that she got to DRIVE, too!

Alicia and a VERY pacient farmer. After his round with Anabel, he wanted to know if Anabel ever stopped talking. Well....

When I was a kid I used to love to jump into the wagon full of beans and just bury myself. The sight of all these beans brought back memories.

Proud to be part of the harvest!

The Right Place at the Right Time

THE TRAIN heading our way as it was taking off from Sheldon, IA . It had just a 15 minute stop, and was mobbed the entire time by anyone who could possibly get up close for a better look.

It isn't too often that you get to see the "world's largest" of anything, but this past week we got a tip (thanks Dad!) that there was a "must see" just 20 miles away. It was scheduled to be passing through Sheldon, IA at noon. My sister, Deb, packed the picnic lunch and we ran off to see this incredible sight...the World's Largest Operating Steam Engine.

The cousins with the engine in the background.

Union Pacific's "Challenger" No. 3985, built in 1943, is an articulated locomotive with a "hinged" frame that allows it to negotiate curves. It is 122 feet long, weighs more than 1 million pounds, has 6-foot diameter drive wheels and can reach a top speed of 70 miles per hour. No. 3985 was built for fast freight service. It was retired in 1959, but UP employee volunteers restored it to running condition in 1981 for special service.

information taken from: http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/heritage_and_steam/2008/0919_railfest-onboard.shtml

Finally, my very own smashed penny!

As a kid I had always heard of people putting a penny on the track to have it smashed flat by a train. I can't tell you how much I have always wanted to do that. When I saw people placing their hard earned pennies on the track, I could hardly pull one out of my pocket fast enough. After all, I have waited 40 years to have one!

Of course, we didn't forget our picnic in the park!

Ta-Da!

Fuchico (pronounced "foo-she-coo") bed cover that the girls and I made on our travels since June.

Over the last 4 months, the girls and I have been working on a wee project. It started out as something productive to do on those long days we had to spend in the car. I figured after we had worked on the pieces for a while, we would decide what to make out of them. When it was decided that Jessica would stay in the US to do 10th grade, we wanted to make something to leave for her.


A look close up.

Each of the circles is called a "fuchico" which comes from the word "fuchicar" which means "to gossip". I am guessing that ladies would get together and "visit" while they worked. :)

Lest you think I am making this all up, here is a little coffee shop in a remote corner of Brazil we saw on vacation in 2004. These table coverings are made out of smaller fuchicos than we made for our project.

A HUGE thanks to Julie, Johanna and Elizabeth Ratzlaff for helping cut out so many of our circles. I am convinced that we were able to finish only because of your help!

Mmm Mmm Good!

Jessica and her homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese.

I am feeling a little silly for writing about food again. Honestly, I really don't have an obsession or anything. Yeah, right...I will just ignore those comments that were just made and continue with this amazing coincidence.

Many times in our travels over the last 4 months we have been asked what we would like to eat. My response is always the same: tomato soup and grilled cheese. This only results in blank stares and then comments about how that won't be acceptable. Then they proceed to wine and dine us on many other delicacies that are also wonderful and supply all our needs of nutrition and palate.

As we walked into the Manna household in Shenandoah, IA, we were met with a small look of chagrine and apology that we were "only" going to eat canned tomato soup for lunch. Woo-hoo! At last! Wonderful was the soup and fellowship.

The next day we traveled to my sister's and brother-in-law's in NW Iowa and arrived just in time for supper. To my delight my sister asked if it would be a problem to "only" eat her homemade tomato soup and grilled cheese for supper. Would that be enough? Woo-hoo! Two days in a row!

And I didn't even have to ask. :)

CELEBRATING SUE ELDERT

FLOWERS FROM THE BGFM FIELD
A TRIBUTE TO SUE ELDERT

On Sunday morning, September 21st, Sue Eldert was taken home to be with her Lord Jesus. Sue battled cancer for 7 years. Her first 4 years of treatments were done in Brazil and the last 3 years in North Carolina, close to her three daughters who cared for her together with Sue's husband Dave. She suffered much, especially during the last 5 weeks. All who were close to her prayed for her speedy departure. These few and delicate flowers are a humble expression of tender love from Sue's Collegues in Brazil. She will be deeply missed by all who were privileged to have known her and especially by those who served beside her.

MK GATHERING AFTER LUNCH ON SUE'S DAY

Nearly 20 MK's and about the same number of Retired & Active missionaries were present at Sue Eldert's Celebration Service on September 25th. After the grave side prayer, many returned to Grace Baptist for a "southern" lunch served by the dear ladies gifted for just such a moment. Thirteen BGFMer MK's, plus an honorary Jeff Reiner, gathered for a once in a life time photo. Everbody's only regret was that Sue couldn't be there. Our prayers are lifted for Dave Eldert and his four grown children, Kathleen, Paulette, Andrew and Regina (and their families).

Ken Stucky - guest contributor to Lori's spot