Merry Christmas from Bolivia

Rumi Rancho Reindeer

"There really are reindeer in Bolivia,"

said Abby to her sisters, Ellie and Olivia.

"They seem to me just a little bit strange.

Aunt Peggy says it’s because they’re open range.

I’ve seen them and they are strange indeed

Because their funny antlers are red and green."

Many kids walk far to go to Rumi Rancho to play

They hear stories of Jesus and always want to stay.

They heard that Jesus was born a long time ago

  His birthday is on Christmas day and He loves us so.

Missionaries travel the whole world wide

To tell the Good News that Jesus is alive.

He was born in a manger on Christmas day

So that we might learn of all God’s ways.

The way to heaven is still the same

Believe in Jesus, He knows us by name.

We know we celebrate because you are the reason

So Happy Birthday, Jesus, this Christmas Season.

From Rumi Rancho you can hear the kids cheer

Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

  

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior,

     who is Christ the Lord.”

And before you go, check out this recipe all the way from Bolivia!

BOLIVIAN BUÑUELOS RECIPE:

Buñelos are a popular snack throughout Latin America. While they can be eaten at

anytime, Bolivian tradition sees them eaten on Christmas morning with syrup and hot

chocolate.

Buñuelos are a soft doughy sweetbread that is deep-fried in the same way doughnuts are

made, with a similar flavor but a slightly more chewy texture, traditionally served

drizzled with a syrup or honey. The buñuelos are often puffy with a crispy crust and air

pockets on the inside.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons fresh yeast

1 cup warm water

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon anise

2 eggs

2 cups flour

3 cups butter

Molasses to taste

1/2 cup sunflower oil to moisten hands

Preparation:

In a bowl, dissolve the sugar in water, add the fresh yeast, let it stand for about 7 minutes,

then add the salt, anise, eggs and flour, mixing it slowly with your hand until you obtain a

watery dough. Let the dough stand and rise twice before you start frying in hot butter or

oil.

To fry, first spread oil over your hands, take a handful of dough with the fingertips and

stretch it into a 4-inch round; rotating the dough occasionally to form a circle. When

about to fry, poke a hole in the middle, and put in the frying pan with a stick or the back

of a wooden spoon through the hole. Let it acquire a golden brown color on both sides

before retiring and leave in a colander to drain away excess oil; then put all in a bowl to

serve.

Serve with a jug of hot sugar cane syrup, molasses or honey for each person to add the desired amount on the buñuelo. Note: Some Bolivians prefer to eat their buñuelos covered in sifted powdered sugar.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The Hooray for Holidays Series will be available later this summer. All four books are being revised and will be available under a new imprint. Thanks for your patience. 

Recent Posts:

Merry Christmas from Bolivia

Hooray for Holidays Video

Bunuelos with Jesus

Happy Thanksgiving

Memories of Military Moments

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; 

his love endures forever." 

Psalm 107:1 (NIV)

I live with a veteran––50 years and counting. But, I married an Air Force airman. Veterans Day brings back memories, both good and sad. Good memories and funny ones of our first year of marriage at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas––yes, theLas Vegas. And, the sad memory of standing with a three-month-old baby cradled in my arms while watching my young husband ascend the skies in an Air Force plane headed for Thailand during the Vietnam Conflict.

Reflecting, there are many things to thank God for: his safe return a year later, traveling the country as a military wife, and the good and sometimes funny memories during those years.

This week we thank God for our veterans. Personally, I am thankful my soldier returned home and lived to become a veteran. But, that first year living on an Air Force base brings back one standout memory etched in my mind and heart forever.

The turkey tale I have to tell holds a special spot in my heart. It was a special turkey because it was the first turkey I tried to cook––two months after my wedding day. I have many precious memories to be thankful for this Veterans Day and Thanksgiving season. As the years pass, I realize that it is a blessing to be able to remember. This turkey tale wasn't funny at the time, but I can't help but chuckle each time I remember it now––decades after the event.

After many years of married life, I gained experience cooking turkeys, but as a new bride, I didn't have a clue. Nevertheless, I looked forward to cooking my first Thanksgiving dinner that year. Far away from our hometown in Pennsylvania, we celebrated alone but not as we planned. We lived on an airman's salary, so buying a turkey was a big expense for the special day. We got up early, and together we made the stuffing, packed it in the bird and shoved it in the oven. After a few hours, we checked the bird. We thought it strange that there was no wonderful aroma coming from the oven, and looking at it––well, it was still raw. Two hours more should do it––we reasoned. We closed the oven door and waited.

The table looked lovely with my wedding gifts of silver, crystal, and candlesticks placed on the perfectly pressed tablecloth. The potatoes were cooking, and the red cranberry sauce contrasted the green linen tablecloth––my decorating skills were developing. If only that turkey would cooperate. It didn't. After nine hours in the oven, it was tough and still raw. We were so disappointed that we took that bird for a long drive in the Nevada desert and threw it out of the convertible we were driving. Good riddance!

Did we ever know what happened? Never! But, I can tell you that story has been told over and over, and usually it sounds as though the cook messed up. I will never agree––it must have been the oven! My first turkey--tough and uncooked! That bird still haunts me today––every time its story is told. FYI, every turkey I’ve baked since exited my oven thoroughly cooked and delicious!

Remembering must be important to God. There are hundreds of verses in the Bible where God tells us to remember, or He remembers us and His promises. “I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done” (Psalm 145:5). Memories!

I hope your turkey isn't a repeat of my turkey tale this Thanksgiving. It wasn't funny at the time, but what a good, funny memory now. We have so much to be thankful for this Veterans Day and Thanksgiving Day. I hope you make some good turkey tales on this Thanksgiving Day––funny ones too.

And, be sure to remember to thank the veterans you know this Veterans Day. Without them, we would not have the blessing of the freedom we enjoy––or the turkeys on Thanksgiving Day.

The Hooray for Holidays Series Books 1-4 available on Amazon.

A Veterans Day Story

Three Stories in one book.

Hooray for Holidays Book 4: Veteran’s Day Special-needs Cat, Thanksgiving Blue Mouse, and Christmas Llama Ride

Celebrate Veteran’s Day with Gypsy, a special-needs cat. She can’t hear, but she knows sign language. Gypsy’s best buddy, Quasi, is also a special needs cat. Because of an injury from a fall, Quasi can’t jump, climb to high places or run. But, he can help Gypsy when she’s in danger. When a threat arises, Quasi risks his life to keep Gypsy safe––just like our veterans did for us.

Next, enjoy the first Thanksgiving Day with the McBlew family. They are a family of blue mice, but they also have another strange family uniqueness. On a long voyage in a big boat, the Mayflower, they meet their new friend, Sarah, who keeps them hidden and safe in the belly of the ship. Arriving in the New World, they face many dangers, but their new friend, Squanto, helps them.

Finally, experience Christmas Day with Paco, a little Quechua boy. When Paco treks up the mountain with his sheep, thunder suddenly roars and raindrops splash. He runs for cover and almost falls down a slippery cliff. Bolting to a nearby cave, Paco stops abruptly before entering. It’s dark inside, but that’s not what scares Paco. It’s the two bright eyes peering through the darkness that makes him shiver. Who’s there?