The Vilela Farm - Part II

First off.... this blogging stuff isn't as easy as they make it look... oh writing is fine... and uploading pictures isn't so bad... but trying to get it all organized on the page so it all makes sense requires more time and patience than I believe I may have!!!

Ok...so we are still on the farm as far as this blog goes.... and one of the great things we did was to make the Brazilian form of tamales called Pomoiha ... and I am sure I just slaughtered that spelling... anyway.... it's made with many ears of corn.... that is cut from the hull and cooked down and then put through a screen like sieve to remove the kernels.... then they put the liquidy corn stuff that is left in a large pot and cook it down for a long time... it thickens up... then it is divided into 3 smaller pots.... one for sweet, one for salty and one for pepper... and I don't mean BLACK pepper either....ohhhh baby was that stuff hot! Anyway... they are then wrapped in GREEN corn husks... not the dried ones like with tamales. A rubber band is put around them ( three different colors of rubber bands to distinguish between hot, salty and sweet) and then they are dropped in boiling water for about 45 minutes. They are very good... at least I like the sweet ones.... but not to much like a tamale if you ask me.... both are good... but the only thing they have in common is the corn husks!!! Here are some photos of the progress and the finished product.

Ok... so... to come in future blogs:

• The two year old birthday party to end alllllll birthday parties... and YOU all think Greg and I SPOIL Sasha.... just you wait......
• The magnificent water falls and the town of Piranopolus.... or something like that....

The Vilela Farm

Well, I have discovered that I am not a farm girl.... I can do it for a weekend... but 4 days was about 2 days to many for me! I must admit.... the farm is beautiful ... amazing at times.... and so peaceful and calm....

when some animal isn't

being killed for your dinner....deep sigh...

a fact of life I can do

without... made me seriously consider vegetarianism!!!

See that chicken Antonio is holding in the air and his grandma is clapping...yep..that's dinner...I didn't eat much that night.

On this farm there are cows, bulls, sheep, pigs, horses, chickens and freaking so many roosters I was ready to kill one myself if they didn't stop crowing at the crack o' dawn!!!!

We took a few walks around the farm and saw some beautiful rivers...or streams... and alllll sorts of fruit trees... banana, mango, cashew, avacado, and good lordy I don't remember all ... some I never even heard of.... Meghan, Antonio, and Greg went horseback riding one morning.... no... I did not .... I don't do horses..... they scare me!!!

It rained while we were at the farm...in fact... it's rained a lot since we have been here.... but it clears up.... sun comes out... you can walk around and play.... it's nice. At the farm the thunder and lightening were reallllllly scary....but exciting. When it stopped we walked around (in the mud) and saw all the trees that were struck by lightening.... kinda scarey. I didn't take pictures as I had already gotten caught in a down pour with my camera and I didn't want to do that again!!!

A few scenes from the farm....

Life back to normal in Brasil

After much time away from any internet connection, I will attempt to catch you all up to speed on what we have been doing...yet not bore everyone to death!!!

First off.... finally after being here about nine days,I finally began to feel like myself... no aches, no pains, no headaches...I could finally make it through a day without at LEAST 3 naps... I rarely take naps so taking 3 a day was a sure sign to me that my body was not happy! But all is well now... my body is not mad at me anymore and life is once again good!

So...here are some higlights of what we have been doing....

Here are my beloved cheese balls that I so look forward to eating! Specially when they are fresh out of the oven!! Nothing better!

Every morning we wake up to a beautiful table full of coffee, juices, pastries and of course my favorite cheeseballs...

In Brazil they eat pastries, coffee, and juice every morning. A big lunch (more like our dinners) and then in the evening, they have more of the cookies and pastries. It actually has bee a great way to eat and has been perfect for my diet. I actually think I have lost weight since I have been here.... granted I didn't eat a whole lot the first 9 days I was here!!!

In my next blog we will visit the farm!!!! Oh joy!

The Day Has Finally Arrived!

Here we are at the SF Airport with more luggage then I thought humanly possible.... and ladies.... the hottie with the white legs and crazy but dapper hat is alllllll mine!!! Don't be hatin' on me now!!! You find your own sexy ole man!!

As many of you already know, we have made it to Brazil/Brasil.... what ever! First, can I say that United Airlines is horrible.... just the most inconsiderate stewards and stewardesses I have ever seen. At one point the women across the isle from me pushed the HELP button as they had some cans and such that needed to be thrown away. Now... granted we were in getting ready to land in a few minutes mode and everyone was in the usual lock down situation... but the way the stewardesses shrieked at the top of her lungs "Oh know... you did NOT just press that light.... you think I am gonna get your trash for you NOW? You just hold on to it till we land...." and then she started talking about stupid people to her coworkers... and we could HEAR her! It felt like a comedy from MADD TV or SNL!! I was never so happy to get off that airlines and do not plan on ever flying them again!!! But then the angels from above sent TAM airlines our way.... a Brazilian family owned airlines.... They dressed and acted so polite...and they seemed so genuine about it. When you first sit down..barely had time to wonder how long you were gonna be sitting on the tarmac, they came around with the best chocolate/toffee candies for everyone. Then soon after takeoff, they came with water. Then they came around and with a sweet little pair of tongs, gave you a hot towel to wipe your hands with. Then of course, drinks.... and I don't mean just juice and soda... and you didn't have to pay for any of it! Then... dinner... one of the BEST meals I have eaten anywhere... It was some beef and rice thing with a green salad and cake for dessert...or you could have pasta or chicken... All were very good! Since this was a night time flight, they lowered the lights and let people sleep... but in the early morning they turned the lights up, brought you a glass of oj AND water...gave you some time to wake up and then brought on the hot towelettes once again! Then breakfast! Eggs, ham, cheese, breakfast roll...mm mmmm good! Oh and the protective seat coverings on the airplane.... were heart shaped.... seriously... I wanted to take a picture but thought everyone would think that was just a tad bit to strange and I had to be on the plane with these people for a while....so... I took some instead as souvenirs to show everyone!

Sash slept the entire flight... it was like we had given him knock out drugs or something.... as soon as we would get on the plane, get situated, and BAM the kid was zonked out... for the entire trip.... all three planes had the same effect on him... and he would only wake up when we were in the airports! Now you make think of this as a blessing.... but Sasha weighs a lot... and he is a sweaty little boy who flails around when he sleeps.... He is a very ACTIVE sleeper you might say... It was difficult shifting him from person to person, but we had to cuz your butt would start crying out in pain after about 45 minutes of not being able to move!! He is not a light boy anymore....

This is the Vilela's home... at least the back yard part.... besides bed, I spend a lot of time here as well. It is beautiful!

Well sorry this blogging thing is taking me so long.... Unfortunately, I am not feeling a heck of a lot better..... this is disturbing me and putting a damper on things here for everyone... I am trying my best to "buck up" and convince myself and everyone else that I am getting better, but I don't know what the hell this is that I have... Megs and Antonio went to the drug store tonight to try to get something different for me then Tylenol.... however that is what the druggist recommended as well... they did manage to bring home something.... I am not sure what, but I am supposed to take it every 6 hours... we shall see. At least I don;t feel like I am getting worse! Just taking forever to feel better!

Will do this again ! Keep posted! Malou