What Laura is made of. . .

Jesse always tells me that I eat so much ice cream that I must be made of it, therefore he needs to make sure that I eat a certain quota of it to keep living. With the onset of warm summer days that quota increases. It was an exciting day in my life when I saw the first ever container of cookie dough ice cream in the grocery. Yes, yes friends I have some how managed to survive without cookie dough ice cream here, until now. Well I am off to enjoy my delicious treat. . .

Christmas Down Under

I don't know what woke us up Christmas morning. Perhaps it was the sun streaming through our blinds warming our feet, or maybe it was the magpies in the hedgerow. Either way, the sounds and warmth held the promise of a beautiful summer day.

We were slow to get crawl out of bed, but our hunger finally got the best of us around 7:00am. The first thing that caught my attention was our stockings. It wouldn't be Christmas without stockings! Laura directed me to my stocking which was packed with caramel chocolates and pistachios, and both of ours had peppermint nougats and dove chocolates that had slipped through the border security. (thanks Mom & Dad D!)

Then we traded the gifts that were wrapped and waiting under our tree. If the tree looks a little sparse, that's because it is. Laura and I never really got into the festive mood because all around us it didn't feel like Christmas. I think that Kiwis try to imitate the hype, but just can't quite compete with the Northern hemisphere mood. Anyway, we just never took the time to get a proper tree, though Laura did manage to decorate a pine sapling which was gifted to us by Laura's friend Nicole.

I got some amazing merino wool socks, chewing gum, and some hand tied streamers for the fly rod which I had been wanting for a long time. They should work wonders on the trout here.

Laura got a big coffee mug for slow mornings, a thermos travel mug for quick mornings on the go, some sock liners for hiking (so I can get mine back), and the promise of a day shopping with the condition that we have coffee together, and buy a hat to keep the sun off her face.

Also we bought each other the early gifts of running shoes for Laura, and a merino wool icebreaker for me.

Laura busied herself with putting together some super delicious parfaits with fresh picked blueberries and strawberries (at her internship she is in an enviable location with research blueberries just waiting to be commandeered, and every roadside stand in the Waikato is peddling strawberries). In the meantime I tried to help her put together some sticky sweet monkey bread, fresh ground coffee and freshly brewed tea.

When the dust settled, we were pleasantly satisfied and ready for some family time. Thank goodness for Skype!

A package had been sitting (customs declaration form down) on our shelf for nearly three weeks since the Bruners had made us adhere strickly to the season tried rule 'not till Christmas', with an extension of their own 'till we are on Skype with you!'

After some good conversation with the Bruners and Dotterers, and the opening of some wonderful gifts, we were on our way to the Cox family Christmas. This family from church were first, but not alone, with their Christmas day invitation.

Our second meal of the day was more mouthwatering dishes....there was even some American cuisine. Steve and Robin spent several years in Atlanta so they were excellent hosts! After our food settled, we dove into a Pavlova dessert, then after that settled, we hit the mini golf course behind their house. Competition was fierce, but lighthearted since it was the holiday. In the end, Stephanie, their youngest won bragging rights.

While Christmas 2009 was new, exciting and warm, we couldn't help but miss our friends and family back home in the snow. Laura and I decided that we'll have to begin some of our own holiday traditions that fit our situation. Maybe next year will be the inaugural Christmas Corn Roast?!?

Thank you all for your love, prayers and Christmas greetings!

2010

As Laura and I have been enjoying the holiday break, you all will have noticed that we haven't incorporated agrizeal into our enjoyment.

I won't offer you much this time since I am nodding off....just trying to stay awake to watch the new year come in. Just a short note on how Laura and I have been spending our break.

The wintry weather has nothing on us down under! We have been having sunny and 70's for a few weeks now, interrupted only occasionally by a brief island shower that disappears as soon as it begins and leaves things fresh and slightly humid.

After one such shower, Laura and I decided that a little exercise was long overdue. We jumped in the honda and headed South. The road through Cambridge, past Lake Kairapiro led us to our destination of choice. Mount Maungatautari reserve.

I won't explain here, but basically it is an entire mountain that the Dept. of Conservation has fenced

in with a pest proof fence so tight that even mice can't get in. We hiked several trails that led us

through the bush, over a rocky outcropping where we had our lunch, and finally to the top of a tall

peak.

Today we decided for a more vacation oriented destination. We drove the hour and a half to

Tongariro in the Bay of Plenty. First we hiked "the Mount" as the locals say. Basically an old

volcano cone sticking out of the sea. Then we hit the beach. Now I'm not much of a beach person,

but I would say that the expanse of white sand, surf and seashells would rival any beach I've been to!

Absolutely beautiful!

Anyhow, we are back at home reading, and relaxing in our first New Years Eve together.

Since we are among the first to see the sun rise on a new day, we are also among the first to usher

in the New Year! So as you wake up, you can begin your celebration early.... after all, it's 2010

somewhere!

We wish you all a safe, happy and fulfilling 2010

Happy New Year everyone!

Lee E. Oswalt: the Pillar

When I think about the twenty-six years that God has granted me life on this planet and consider the people that have shaped me; the people that made me who I am, there are a few that really stand out in my mind.

We all have these people in our lives. Maybe most of us would point to our loving family or the love of our lives; celebrities, historical figures. Most of us recognize the significant impact of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. None of us are truly self-made.

Well, one of these figures in my life was Lee Oswalt....and I daresay that there is a whole multitude who would say the same.

Lee E. Oswalt passed from this life on Sunday afternoon at the age of 87. He once quoted that, “there are a lot of people alive who aren’t really living”, but I don’t think he was ever in danger of this paradox.

I had the great opportunity to work side by side with Lee, in wet weather and dry weather. There are a few things about him that will always stick in my mind.

The way he regarded his fellow man:

Lee would strike up a conversation with anyone. As he said, he “never met a stranger, but [he] met a few strange ones.” To me, it always seemed that he would talk with the strangest people, like the day he talked with the scrap man at the dairy bar. He would never judge someone by their appearance alone, he was always friendly and he waved to anyone that he crossed paths with.

His character, quotes, quips and colloquialisms:

On the farm, you would rarely find him wearing anything other than his ‘prison stripped’ bib overalls. He always had handy a pocket knife, a combination nine-sixteenths, half inch wrench, pliers, and handkerchief. He always drove a dodge with ample amounts of candy and gum for the kids, and farm bureau paraphernalia for the adults. One of my earliest memories of Lee was running out to the road, as he drove by on a tractor, to catch a packet of gum that he tossed to us. Sometimes gum would turn up in our mailbox, and I even remember finding a pack in the lawn, long after he threw it there. Lee read a lot of books, and he always found a way of picking up quotes that cut to the chase.

His never-ending optimism and positive attitude:

Lee maintained a positive attitude, no matter what. And he encouraged those around him to do the same. He always looked for the good in everyone, and often made it shine through. I remember visiting him at University East Hospital in Columbus after his leg got amputated. I wondered how I would find him, but as soon as I got through the door, he said “Jess, now I only have one foot to get cold this winter!”

“Every day is a good day...if you don’t believe me, try missing one” was a favorite quote.

His patience:

You know in all the years I worked with him, I never seen him get angry. Not one cross word...ever. I gave him plenty of reason, but he was always patient. He was the first to find a solution and last to criticize. Many times I would overlook something or forget some critical maintenance and I would have to call on him to bail me out.

Those two-way radios were great. “....[static]...WXA 855 Mobile three to mobile one, are you there Lee?” I would say. “Go ahead Jess” he would reply. “Yeah.....uhhhh, could you come to the field? I got a problem.....” Then when he arrived on scene, he would just be thankful that no one was hurt.

Lee Oswalt was a mentor, a role model and a friend.

There is no equal in New Zealand, nor in Brazil, not in Europe; no, not in the world over. Lee was one-of-a-kind. I’ll never forget the time I got to share with him; whether underneath that old Gleaner, Model ‘K’ combine, or out in the field, or over a burger and fries at the dairy bar.

Lee, I won’t be there to see you off, but I want to thank you for the life you gave me. You changed me, you changed us all. The world is a better place because of you.

May you find your everlasting home where you can shed your physical ailments and rest from your trials; where bull thistles, giant ragweed and foxtail don’t exist; where the rain comes regularly....just enough, and never on your freshly mown hay; where the conditions are always perfect. Enjoy your heaven.

Before Laura worked. . .

Those who know me will know that the scientist in me loves to experiment and finding answers for my curious mind. Since I have not been doing that lately in school or in a job; it has come to the surface in my cooking. Jesse jokes that I can never try a recipe for the first time without modifying it first. He is probably right but there has only been two meals that I have cooked I thought were awful, and both were lamb (lamb is hard to cook). We do not have a oven in the love shack so problem #1 was figuring out how to bake the things that I love to eat. We got a slow cooker a couple weeks after moving in. I was searching the web for slow cooker recipes. I found the blog of a woman that her New Year's resolution was to cook something in her slow cooker every day of the new year. Here is her year of adventure with her slow cooker: http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/. She set my head spinning with possibilities of what I could make in my slow cooker. The following weekend after our purchase we made bread, a delicious honey wheat recipe that Jesse had baked for me when we were dating. It turned out well just little crispy on the sides from the heat being in the sides of the pan.

We quickly found a solution to making bread in our crockpot. We bought a flexible silicone bread pan that fits perfectly in our crockpot. No more burnt edges on our bread. The next big adventure was making cheesecake without an electric mixer (perk of marrying a handsome strong man ;-)) and an oven. After an hour of preparation and 4 hours of baking our apple strudel cheesecake was finished! Boy was it delicious!

I was sure missing the homemade pizza that I grew up helping my sister make. So I whipped up some home made dough, put some topping on, and let her bake for 2 hours. It was good. Unfortunately since it is not oven the dough can not get crispy and get done the middle as well because of the heating on the sides. In any case I thought it was delicious bearing in mind with what I have to work with.

My crockpot creations have expanded to enchiladas, lasagna, eggplant parmesan, baked oatmeal, apple crisp, chocolate cake, and that is just to name a few. It is now strawberry season in New Zealand, and I am looking forward to trying shortcake in the crockpot to have strawberry shortcake! I also bet Jesse would sure appreciate me trying to bake a pie in there!

Coming soon. . .

How Laura's life has drastically now that she has started putting in an honest day's work.

Obvious observations of the Southern Hemisphere that caught me by surprise

Recently the Christmas supplies are pouring out onto New Zealand merchant's shelves. While Laura and I are breaking out our shorts and t-shirts, Christmas is drawing closer! So strange for me to grasp which leads me to my first observation:

Observation #1- Christmas in New Zealand will be snow-less!

People are putting their skis away and getting out their summer recreational gear. Laura is trying to talk me into getting a palm tree instead of a pine tree to decorate....she hasn't made much progress yet.

So you've probably picked up that we won't be home for Christmas this year which leaves Laura and I very, very sad. Lately we've been thinking about this season and all the rich traditions we have back home with our families and how we will soon be missing out on possibly one of the best holidays of all.....Thanksgiving!

Observation #2- Thanksgiving is a North American tradition (yes your maple leaf friends to the north also celebrate).

So, no paid leave to reminisce on the festive mood or delight in the delicacies or to celebrate history....just another Thursday at work. So Laura and I are helping to organize a Saturday Thanksgiving anyhow with some of our work friends. On the menu- Turkey, stuffing, green bean caserole (the official state casserole of Ohio btw), mashed potatoes, and a veggie/cheese platter. As we compiled our list of things we automatically started altering recipes because there are no french fried onions in a can....come to think of it, I haven't seen turkeys in the grocery store either!!!!

Next observation- The US is a consumer nation, New Zealand is a producer nation

With just over 4 million people, and a moderate GDP, NZ isn't the kind of market that multi-nationals rely on. The US on the other hand....well that one is a different story.

This year the New Zealand Dairy herd just made a huge step in technology when AgResearch (my colleague Vish) imported the equipment to sort semen for insemination. Some farmers won't be convinced at $60 additional per straw. But really! just now! Seems to me that this is long overdue. Last week Fonterra (the large dairy co-op here) raised their forecast payout and on that new the Kiwi dollar jumped 2 cents! (So you see why New Zealand is a producer nation)

Come to think of it, we even have to borrow our news from the US. Today, front page of the New Zealand Herald- Obama begging the Chinese to let their currency appreciate as market forces should do so that the US can export more.....perhaps he should be fixing our monetary problem instead of pleading for their help.

Final observation- The atmosphere is thinner here!

The sun stings! A few brief moments outside in the full sun will leave its mark quickly on your skin. Nothing like I've experienced before. It actually stings your skin! I guess the hole in the Ozone is shrinking, but I growing fond of the warmpth, so keep using your aerosol cans in moderation.

Final, final observation- the shorts that Kiwi men wear are way, way too short!!!! enough said

more scraps of New Zealand vocab:

togs = swimming trunk

jumper = any outer layer shirt like a fleece or a sweater, men or women (I felt somewhat threatened when I received comments on my new jumper (merino wool, icebreaker, very nice)that Laura got me....glad I worked that one out).

Singlet = sleeveless shirt, undershirt (among white trash a.k.a. wife beaters)

Tank tops are something different. I'll have to ask Laura.

Well, I hope you don't mind the randomness and the un-p.c. statements, feel free to comment!

One last thing. I'm really concerned about America's future given the current monetary policy, rampant government spending and failed economic stimulus.

Winter in New Zealand: Part III

Karangahake Gorge:

It's time I finish my winter theme because it's spring here! Longer daylight hours, warmer days, birds singing, lambs growing...you get the picture.

Laura, myself and our French friend Nicolas headed over to the Karangahake gorge to explore the old mining boom town.

The mountains surrounding the Gorge were riddled with mines.

As you can see from the pictures, we saw some amazing scenery.

As we walked up through the gorge, it was hard for me to imagine the valley during the boom period. Somehow the hustle and bustle couldn't fit into the peaceful silence. Oh what a time it must've been. The cracking concrete slabs and the half buried rusted gears, shafts and pans told the story of the long ago gold rush. The vegetation would've been stripped away exposing the sheer rock faces striped with track and dotted with the mouths of hundreds of mining tunnels. When the mine was operating at capacity, there were more than 10 different levels of horizontal shafts, from three stories below the riverbed up to the lofty heights above us.

We treked up a trail called 'windows walk'. Much of the walk was actually inside a mining tunnel and the windows were shafts cut out to the gorge. The sunlight poured into the damp darkness.

A few miles up through the gorge led us to a good climb up to the level 7 trail that skirted the other side of the gorge on elevation with all the level 7 mine shafts. Occasional breaks in the radiata pine and temperate scrub showed us some panoramic scenery of the surrounding countryside. Breathtaking.

We finished back at our car by late afternoon and ate some lunch, and delicious french cheese that Nicolas shared, then back home.