Magical Realism

It did not rain today, or yesterday. The sky was clear, and blue, amd I sat outside and wrote. When I looked up. there was a huge rainbow stretched over the neighborhood. I looked around, but no one else seemed to see it. Later, Zuni's friend called. She was sick, with a terrible stomach ache. Zuni shut the kitchen doors, and wrapped a string around the knobs. Then she passed the string thru her hands several times, whispering. She told me that is how you cure an upset stomach, quicker than the doctor she said. And Then I baked peaches, and the hot house filled up with peach smell and cinnamon. Juicy and sweet. I washed the dishes, and sang in the kitchen, where the noises bounce around in the rafters. Last night I dreamt that I was sailing in a little boat. And now I understand how Marquez wrote what he did. There is something really special about this place. Magical things happen. Marquez wrote what he experienced. He did not add magic to his reality, it was already there, because here, reality is already magical. Its the little things that people do, and the little things the universe shows you if you watch. just a thought... I'm off to take a nap..... Love, Lily

Año Nuevo

New Year's eve at the Carmeli house.

Papa Carmeli with Leo, y Manu.

Carmeli parents! These two are just about the sweetest people
you could ever find. 

Leo, Manu, and I. 

Leo

Matilde

Angi and Norma

All of us! 

Jose, que buena onda che.

A little musical chairs

I don't even....

Jose-linda! 

Bailando

Baila Baila

A little Karaoke to get finish off the night!

New Year was fabulous. It was surprisingly chilly here (maybe 70 Farenheit) and perfect weather for dancing outside. We spent the night eating, dancing, eating some more, playing games, eating dessert, then a 2nd dessert, then a third, and ended the night with Karaoke. Espatacular! I love this family so much! They are divine, and I hope to spend time with them in the year to come.

It was a weird feeling for me to be in Argentina when the year changed. There were a million little fireworks in the sky in Ramallo, and I was trying to picture what I might do this year. I really have no idea! I don't know where I will be, or what I will be doing, but, I feel that good things are coming, so I am open to whatever possibilities arise. Most importantly, this year I want to spend time with my family, and spend time learning. And I want to make the most out of oppurtunities that arise. Here's to a productive, inspired year! I am all ears universe.

Love, Lily

La Familia Carmeli

Right now I am about 5272 miles (as the crow flies) from my family. Thats a long way away. I miss my family alot. I miss oatmeal with my momma in the morning, and chill time with my sister. I miss my littlest brother waking me up. Holiday times are alittle trying for me, THIS is family season ya know? But I have thankfully had the fortune to meet a beautiful family down here in Argentina, and being with them is like being with family. They are my some of my favorite people to spend time with, and they have graciously opened their doors, and made me feel so at home. I love them, and I wanted to share some pictures of these lovelies!

I love this family! Son re divinos todos.

 

The Little Things

It the little things that really count.

 I mean really really count. I spend alot of time here watching, and looking, and it is always little details that are thrilling, and inspiring! I recently started a journal just for recording eccentric things that I notice, and it has proved to be soo inspiring! Here are some little things that make life so sweet:

 Letters from my sister.

 A Man with a pink spotted shirt and a blue bowtie in a small Argentine country town.

 Learning to make Mate.

 Spending all day at the Park. 

 Things viewed from a bus window.... 

 A small child laying on the floor of an apartment bulding's lobby. His mother smiling down at him.

 A man, 4 floors up, lowering a key on a string to a woman at the entrance to the building. 

 That kind of eye shrug people do. 

 Funny misunderstandings.

 Accidental(bilingual) double entendres.

I wish I could photograph all of these, but I am no where near quick enough. 

Here are some photos of everyday sweetnesses:

fresh almonds

and walnuts

homeade icecream at 4:30 in the morning

this dog sol

homeade bread 

 Life is so sweet. It's nice to reflect on it now and again.

Love, Lily

Argentina!

Gosh, Argentina is treating me so well!

Its been 5 days since I landed in Buenos Aires, and I am already so in love with Argentina! After landing, my friends here picked me up from the airport, and we drove to Rosario, our city. The car ride was 3 hours long, and I slept most of the way :P But, what I was awake for was beautiful! The countryside is lush, and green green here!

Unfortunately, I forgot to charge my camera before I left Tulsa, so I have no photos of the first couple of days.....haha Oh well!

At Bere's house, we chilled for a little while, and then made dinner. Zuni taught me how to make Pollo de la Casuela, a delicious layered chicken dish that you make in a large saucepan on the stovetop. Its sort of like an italian-influenced chicken pot roast.....A super comfort food!

Pollo de la Casuela

Ingredients:

• About 2 pounds of Chicken (preferably dark meat, skinned but left on the bone)
• 2 Onions, thickly sliced
• 4 large carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 large bell pepper, thickly sliced
• 5 medium russet potatoes, peeled, and cut into more or less bite sized pieces
• 3 tomatoes, thickly sliced
• 5 medium cloves of garlic, finely minced
• olive oil
• tomatoe paste
• salt
• about 2tsps dried oregano
• 1 cup water

First, lightly coat the surface of the saucepan in olive oil, next, layer in ingredients, startin with the carrots. Next, place the chicken ontop of the carrots, and rub them with some salt, oregano and the garlic. On top, layer the remaining ingredients in the following order: onion, bell pepper, tomato, pinch of salt, pinch of oregano, potatoes, salt, oregano. Next, mix the cup of water with 2tbs of tomato paste, and pour on top of the potatoes. Finish with one last layer of salt(be generous), and oregano. 

Cover. Next, heat the mix on the stovetop over medium until the water begins to boil. Shake the pan every-once-in-a-while to make sure ingredients don't stick. Once the water has begun to boil, turn the fire down to a simmer, and cook until potatoes are soft, but not mushy.

Turn the whole pot out onto a serving plate(will be pretty juicy, cuida!) and enjoy! This is really good accompanied with a nice crispy bagguette, and good company. Yum!

Beginning

mmmm, my first post. This blog is about my life, travels, and things that I love. I am very excited to be beginning this, and I hope that you all enjoy reading <3

Now, plans. Very soon((9days!!!)) I will travel to Argentina,where I will be for 3 months. I will be cooking, eating, and dancing, and I hope to learn a ton, and meet wonderful people. I plan on taking lots of pictures, and learning how to make Argentine food, especially pastas!

This is the beginning of my blog, and of my record of recipes, pictures, and good things. Enjoy! 

Love Lily