Kenya Update

This evening I got an email from the Boy!! The email said only this:

"hey guys, we finally made it to Africa after some rocky landings and what not. the only downside is that none of us have our luggage so it's going to be a fun day tomorrow. say hi to everyone for me.
Christian"

Yup!  Typical teen boy. Give as little detail as possible but still able to instill some amount of panic.  No luggage?  I had this bad thought yesterday when I saw the ticket agents handing out these bright yellow tags that said "group" on them....you know, "so your luggage will be grouped together'.  Perhaps they would have been better if some of them got their luggage then they could share things such as SUNBLOCK....
Have you seen the pictures of the Boy? He is a pale, sun sensitive ginger type of kid.  His hair isn't as red as it used to be but all the freckles and such are still there.

Here's the Boy attaching that lovely yellow tag!

See that pale skin on his arm? He needs his sunblock!!

 EF Tours sent me the number to call for information and they are going to help me out with info regarding the group's bags. (of course I will have to wait until regular business hours to call the number, which they tweeted at me)

I am off to calm myself and continue with household painting projects. (Yesterday was the bathroom, today I'm moving on to the living room.)

Until next time, stay warm and eat well. (and keep an eye on your luggage)

The Boy Leaves For Kenya

I don't think he slept much last night!

 This spring break is going to so incredibly different from the last 3 spring breaks.  Would you believe we the Boy isn't actually playing baseball? There will be no trip south to St Louis or to Memphis this year.  As sad as I am about not going South this spring, I am even more excited for the opportunity the Boy has taken for his spring break.  Today the Boy is left for the adventure of a lifetime! You see, this morning (baring any wildcat strikes from Air Canada) he left with 14 other teens and 3 teachers on a trip to Kenya!  (Dear Air Canada, please don't mess this up for them!)  As long as they can get to Montreal by Monday evening, then British Airways takes them the rest of the way.

The adventuresome group before checking in...no one will miss them in their yellow shirts!

CTV news even came over to the house last night and interviewed the Boy and a few others for a spot about their fabulous journey!  You can see the spot here.

I am soooooo incredibly nervous about this trip. He travels all the time with his baseball team but that's just to cross the 49th parallel. Also, hubby and I drive South to watch so we are generally close by.  This will be such a fabulous experience for all who are going. I am so excited and to be honest, a wee bit jealous a whole lot jealous.

Thumbs up for Kenya!

Preparations for this trip started quite some time ago with fundraising, meetings, and vaccinations....oh the vaccinations.....I knew the Boy meant business about this trip when he was willing to get 4 needles in one appointment with the travel health nurse!  Needless to say, we are very proud of the Boy and everyone going on this trip.  I will miss him and be nervous until he is back home but I was a big girl today.  I didn't cry until we got back to the car!

About to go through security. 

 Travel safe Garden City!
Until next time, stay warm and eat well.

You're Going Where?

It has been such an exciting week in the Little Kitchen! There is news to be told!! While baseball is still officially the Boy's first love, in the wake of his injury, he has been exploring other options.  He came upon an exciting endeavour being offered by his school through EFtours. After much thought and discussion, we have decided that this opportunity now in front of him to just too good to pass up. I am so excited, I can barely contain myself....The Boy is going......to......KENYA!!!! He will be participating in a voluntour with Free the Children and the Me to We people!!!!!!!!!! What a fantastic opportunity for young people! The itinerary looks amazing! He also gets to go to WE day this week as well!

How can I as a parent not do everything to help make this opportunity happen for my child? I wish I could go!! Of course to help celebrate this event, I have been researching some recipes for Kenyan foods!  The one we decided to try first is for a very simple flat bread called Chapati that we found on the internet here.  There some other recipes on this page that we hope to try out over the next few months before the Boy leaves on his trip.

Chapati

1 cup flour
1cup whole wheat flour
2 tbsp oil
3/4 to 1 cup water
salt to taste (1 used 1/2 tsp)

Mix the flours, salt and oil in a bowl.

Slowly add the water, mixing and kneading as you go. You will know you've added enough water when it comes together to form a slightly sticky but kneadable dough.

Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and stiff.

Wrap the dough ball in plastic wrap and set aside to rest for at least 30 minutes (or longer).

Heat a fry pan or griddle to medium/high.  Split the dough into 6 equal size pieces and dust with flour.  Roll each piece out to a thin roundish shape.

Brush the pan or griddle lightly with oil and lay one piece of dough in the pan. Let it cook for about 1 minute on the first side then flip and cook for another minute.  Each side should have some browning starting on each side.  As you cook the rest of the the Chapati, keep the cooked ones warm.

We find these easy to make flat breads quite tasty and are perfect with hummus and we are looking forward to trying them with other meals.
We are just so excited to be able to help the Boy have this opportunity to travel to Kenya and will keep looking from some regional foods we can make right here in our Little Kitchen.

Until next time, stay warm and eat well!