So for the first 2 weeks or so, January was unusually warm and sunny. I remember stopping to think in unbelief, "It's the middle of winter!" However for the last week it has been raining and raining...nice, long, gentle rains! And it has been chilly...and windy!
The Sonoran desert has two rainy seasons, one in July and August when we get torrential rains in the afternoons a few times a week (hopefully) and then in December and January when we get sprinkles or like this year long gentle rains. I just learned this year from the kitchen ladies that the winter rains are called, "Equipatas." I looked it up online and it means "little packages." Fun fact: Saguaro cactuses only grow in the Sonoran desert and there is evidence that these winter rains are crucial to their survival!
Alicia turned 18 the beginning of January and I was excited to take her to my house for an afternoon, now that she is allowed to leave campus (DIF COVID restrictions for residents). She is a fellow puzzle lover and helped me make this giant sandwich puzzle.
We've been experiencing some plumbing issues. Water was leaking out of the wall in our bathroom and on the other side of the wall in the kitchen. Thankfully, a nice elderly plumber was able to come and fix the leak and just today he patched up these holes you can see in this picture! We were extra thankful for our 2nd shower, since this one was out of commission for a couple weeks.
I've been enjoying cooking as always. In this video I'm explaining to my grandparents what I'm making: "Quekas," a corn dough empanada with beans inside!
Miguel's mom sent us a cheese wheel with some Christmas travelers and Miguel and I are enjoying it very much! If I understand correctly, this cheese is made with a roll of fresh cheese dipped in chili sauce and dried/aged. It's crumbly and has a stronger taste than the "queso fresco."
Here we enjoyed it with some beans and omelet!
After one of the rains last week, I spied this pretty fog up in the hills.
Saturday, the guys had a bachelor party for Scott Kieser. (Congrats to him and Arika Nuest on their engagement!) And Zoë invited me over for supper and the evening. I got to eat a Thai version of chicken and dumplings soup that included ginger, curry, and turmeric. Yum! And I got to try this homemade Taro ice-cream with boba pearls. Double Yum!
Then we played several games and concluded with a scrabble rematch.
Zoë even found our scores from November, so we could compare! (And we used the other side of the sheet!) In November she won, 304 to 216!
Saturday, she one again, but by only 34! I was pleased!
I'll leave you with a few lines of a song I'm attempting to write
"As our fingers form
As our laughter lights
As our pattering feet
Burst into flight
As the questions come
As the answers fade
As the overwhelm
of our life invades
He never looks away
He is here to stay
His compassion reigns
Justice will be laid..."
Thanks for your attention, love, and support!
