Browsing Martha day

Although we entertained before expatriation, it was not as often as when living abroad. Entertaining opens doors to get to know like-minded people which makes for an easier more pleasant and fun posting experience. Half the time, it is work-related and therefore obligatory.

It is cheap to entertain in the Philippines. There you can have every occasion catered (in our case up to over 100 sometimes) even the simplest ones, or invite people for a private function in a public restaurant for a third of what it will cost you elsewhere. So there was really no need for advices, solicited or otherwise, except from your caterer, of course. The type of entertaining we did in the Philippines did not apply to Denmark, Kenya and even here in Nicaragua, it is just prohibitively expensive.

In asking my domestic diva friends, I found out that there's so many money-saving tips I can get from Martha's site without compromising the quality of entertaining. Prior to my moving abroad, I didn't know Martha Stewart except probably for her infamous incarceration or house arrest at the very least and her spat with Donald the tower guy. Now, I'm hooked.

Today, while visiting Martha Stewart's Site, I checked out 'The Martha Stewart Blog' and there stumbled into the 'Hostess (with the mostess)' blog site. Under 'get inspired' are some of the cutest things I have seen. I came across these adorable and unbelievably cute cup cakes, for instance.

More photos of Hello Naomi's adorable cupcakes can be found here.

On the same blog, check out the review of 'Colin Cowie Chic: The Guide to Life As It Should Be'. Looks good to buy to me but I'm a sucker for good advice and good deals (about $20) and if my table can look this good, why not.

You'd think that between Martha, Emily, the hostess herself and maybe in future, with Colin's help too, I'd be able to host a chic party? Given the number of years I've been doing this...I've a loooong way to go. But then I pick up good things a long the way. Poco a poco.

Presenting the Swedish School boys

Ugghh, don't ask me why, I'm just glad they're having fun and are comfortable with what they're doing...all in the name of fun!!!

Managua shopping tip

We all have our own pick-me-ups . For some it's pastries, for some ice cream and yet for some just shopping in general, for me it's shoes. I don't think there's anything wrong with owning up to our fetishes unless of course they are k*nky (wink) but then there's no need to discuss it either. Everyone has at least one including the men. Just watch them accumulate gadgets and tools that they plan to use in future...a future that may not even come.

Although shoes are my fetish, I don't let it get the better of me. More than the shoes, it's the rush I get from buying a pair I like at a price I like even better. This was never a problem for me in Denmark as there's always somewhere I can get good quality shoes at 70% or if I get really lucky even at 90% off - almost a give away.

As I have mentioned in a previous post, it is harder to indulge oneself here in Nicaragua but, but, but...sometimes, you can get lucky. This week I was. Nine West in Las Galerias is having a sale and not only are they reduced from anywhere between 25 - 50% off regular price, they are also buy-one-take-one or as we say here 'dos por uno', further reducing a pair to almost 25% its original price! There are newer models on sale at 50% off including some bags and accessories. I like the double slash better.

They've had this before but stopped it...well, that's what they told me when I asked early this year...as in 'never'. After that, I swore never to stop by the store again hmmmph. So, imagine my surprise when (okay, okay) I peeked in last week to see the sale - it's way at the back of the store - that they're having it again. In panic that I may never see the inside of the store again I bought uhmm some...just in case.

Not bad huh for a pair costing between $25-30. They must be soooo last, last year but who cares.

So, go, go, go while they have it or while they still have your size. Dog knows when they're gonna have it again! Really, I only passed by because I was desperate to get Tango shoes and I think I found it (the last pair - anything that will not fly off my feet when I have to make the sooo vicious kick that's so distinctly Tango).

Sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

On Native Soil

It's 1 am and I've just finished watching On Native Soil. I thought I'd sleep early today - early means before midnight - as I have Spanish early in the morning tomorrow but haven't done any of my homework yet.

Before retiring, I usually scan the TV channels just to check if there's anything good on. On HBO, a documentary just started and I was ready to turn the TV off when I heard Kevin Costner's voice narrating. Hmmm, so I watched a bit more.

On Native Soil is an honest and truthful assessment of 9/11. I have seen other 9/11 documentaries including Michael Moore's and I must say that not only is this the most moving by far but it showed a clear picture surrounding the events before and after 9/11, the various agencies involved, their competencies and incompetencies and response or lack of it. The most appalling was that of the FAA's.

With the concerted effort of the families of the victims, through a fact-finding commission, anomalies and weaknesses in the system were exposed.

Highly recommended.

Champagne and quiche weekend

This weekend has been quite hectic (meaning we were mostly out of the house) compared to how we normally spend weekends in Managua. That's why we make it a point to go to a nearby beach when we can.

As T's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, unlike last year when I threw a surprise birthday party for T in our house, we've decided to just hold intimate celebrations here in there. My weekend looked like this:

Friday (afternoon) - after work, I went to T's office and brought snacks (Lasagne and Ham, Mushroom and Asparagus crustless quiche) and some champagne so T can celebrate with his co-workers.

Friday (evening) - for the Arabian Night we brought lamb curry.

Saturday (afternoon) - Birthday party of K & C's 4 year old. On the way, passing by S' (my favorite 'dama') Women's (Cañasta) project - made of newspaper - as support (yup we bought something...s).

At K & C, they made an impromptu celebration for T by sharing poor 4 yr old Lucas' cake (sweet).

Sunday (morning) - birthday breakfast for T. It was so hot that we decided to jump in the pool clothes and all - pretty much all the exercise we got that day - the jumping, I mean. Oh and to check if T's dive watch -which he got for his birthday - works. For now we know it is indeed waterproof...that's a start.

Sunday (afternoon) - Salsa workshop where we also brought Champagne and Quiche to share.

Sunday (evening) - light dinner and a movie

The above doesn't sound so much but given that we'd rather lounge around the house on weekends when we're not out of town, is already a lot.

Obviously, I did a lot of cooking this weekend but I thought it was smart to make the same food for both the office and Salsa 'brindis' (toast) because they're 2 totally different groups. In both places some have asked me for the recipe of the quiche, so here it is:

Ham, mushroom and Asparagus crustless quiche

8 Eggs
1 cup chopped (white) Onion
1 cup chopped Button mushroom
1 cup chopped Deli ham
1 cup chopped Green & Red bell pepper mix
1 cup chopped Asparagus
1/2 cup grated Swiss cheese
1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Cream cheese
1/2 cup Mascarpone cream cheese
1/2 cup
1 teaspoon (adjust to taste) ground Nutmeg
Salt & pepper to taste (about a teaspoon each)
1/2 cup butter

In a sauce (or any deep) pan, saute the following in butter (leave enough butter to coat bottom of the baking dish) in this order: onion, mushrooms, bell peppers, asparagus (add last if using canned asparagus), ham. Set aside and let cool when done.

Beat eggs together with salt, pepper and nutmeg. In a separate bowl mix cream cheese and mascarpone and whisk until soft. Gradually mix in the egg. Add the cheddar while mixing continuously and finally the swiss cheese.

Coat baking dish (16 inch) with butter and spread the saute mix evenly. Pour cheese and egg mixture. Using a fork mix a bit to even out saute mix and cheese mixture on the baking dish.

Bake at 180C for 30 -40 minutes and 200C for 15 minutes (or less) or until top is golden.

Serves 12