Recipe: Chili because it's CHILLY

Brrr. It's really cold these days in the Balkans, but nothing warms me up like some good 'ol chili... My dad actually perfected a recipe that started with a slab of steak cut into fine cubes and seasoned with his secret-blend. It would take all-day to prepare and simmer-to-full-flavor, but since that's a secret-family-recipe, and in the interest of time, I thought I'd share my basic throw-it-all-in-a-pot version that I enjoy making (and with a Macedonian-pepper twist). It's quick, easy and quite enjoyable.

Ingredients:

1 lb (1/2 kilo) ground beef
1 Large onion, diced
1 Med onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 Large ripe tomatoes, diced
(or 2 tomatoes & 2 14oz cans stewed)
3 Green peppers, diced
2 Red peppers, diced
(a favored personal addition since living in the Balkans)
1 14oz cans kidney beans
1-1/2 T chili powder (adjust up or down for heat)**
1/2 tsp salt
(can add more, I just don't like to use a lot of salt)
1/2 tsp ground pepper blend
(preferably a fresh grind mix of green, black and white pepper)

Preparation:

Brown meat in skillet with diced medium onion, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 diced green pepper and sprinkling dash of salt.

While that's browning simply dump remaining ingredients (tomatoes first) into a large stew-pot and turn heat on low.

When meat is completely browned, drain excess fat and then combine with ingredients in pot. Cover and cook on med heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.

Makes 8-10 servings.

Serve with fresh bread (pictured on a fun plate that my nephew made). It's also good served over rice (something I learned from my East Coast colleagues) or with homemade cornbread. And don't forget the side salad to round out the nutrition. :)


Personally, I like to store my chili in single-serving containers in the fridge for one night to cement the flavors. Then I place them in the freezer for quick and easy meals during the week. :)

Spaghetti Sauce: It's simple to turn this basic chili recipe into a Spaghetti sauce simply by excluding the kidney beans and substituting 1 T rosemary in place of the chili powder. I also enjoy adding a little chopped zucchini as well (in the US I'd add yellow squash too). Don't forget to sprinkle the finished product with parmesan cheese. :)

**Note to my Balkan friends: The chili powder that is referred to is not exactly like bukavetz or ljutenitsa (pictured up top), it's a blend that I got ready-made from the US (or has been sent in a care package). Anyways, I did find some recipe's online with instructions on how to make your own, which I will try as well... One from the Sacramento Bee (my hometown paper btw), another from the Food Network and finally one from Wikipedia. I know you can't get Ancho chili pods here, but the ljut piperki will work as a substitute (see pic on right). Prijetno jadenje!

If anyone else has a good recipe for making homemade chili powder, please share! :)

The Last Day of Summer

They say there are just two seasons here in Macedonia: summer and winter. Boy do I believe it!

Just two weeks ago we enjoyed the late summer warm air next to a river to celebrate a baptism. It was warm and wonderful in all aspects of the meaning. And you can see from the picture that Macedonians really know how to grill well! And nothing surpasses the summer produce either--those locally grown tomatoes were simply delicious! Picnics are also a big thing here--starting with Picnic Day (or May 1st) through to the last days of summer. :) And as it turned out, this picnic was indeed on the last day of summer.


The next day, Sunday, it rained most of the day but cleared up just in time for the wedding at church. Then by Tuesday I was digging out a suitcase full of winter clothes from my closet, retiring open-toes shoes and capri's to a storage box and wearing long pants for the first time in months.

Now, two weeks later, I have a cold, my lungs are dry and my throat scratchy and as I drink the last of my Alka Seltzer cold medicine I'm remembering that lazy joyous picnic and baptism by the river with a bit of wistful longing for a little more summer. As it is, city heat doesn't normally get turned on until October 15th (just missing my birthday btw)... though it would have been nice if it were turned on yesterday... It's hard to believe how quickly the cold embraced us. I mean, from upper 30s (90s) to single digits (40s & 50s) in literally days!

Oh how I miss California's Indian Summer. Sigh... Welcome to the Balkans and to living in the land of two seasons! :) Then again, each new season has it's joys. The cold weather means it's time to roast peppers and make Ivar! Also, since the cold came so early this year... maybe they'll be lots of snow this winter too. Now wouldn't that be fun! ;)

No Getting Used to It

***this is a re-post from my old blog site***

There she was, lying on her side on a piece of cardboard, sleeping. In front of her a baby bottle half-filled with juice and a box for people to drop money in. She must have been barely 18-months old. She was "sleeping" so soundly, she was so still, that I had to look hard to be sure that she was breathing. Nowhere to be found was any adult.

Believe it or not, sites like this are "normal" here in the city and always stir up a riot of conflicting emotions inside: anger towards a mother who would do this to her child; compassion and heartbreak for the state of need; and helplessness in what to do in the face of it.

I'll never forget one day when it was over 100 degrees and two children were "sleeping" on their cardboard in the scorching heat, with no shelter or even water, while another begged for money. In other places in town beggars will carry their inconceivably passive infants in their arms (or sometimes dolls--pretending that they're infants) and weave in and out of traffic begging for money. Children also work the cars at stoplights, washing windows with dirty water and rags--whether you want them to or not. Then they practically hang on your windows until you give them money.

I was in one persons car where the child hurried to the front of it as the driver tried to pull away. The pre-teen put his hands on the hood and pushed--as if to stop us from driving forward.

I've also seen the children literally hang on foreigners legs begging for money while another one tries to pick their pocket! And still others will even dumpster dive regularly to get cardboard and other "recyclables" or even food that the rest of the community has cast off.

In many ways these people seem like the "cast-off's" of the community itself.

Thus is the situation that we all face in one manner or another no matter where we live. Do you walk on by? Do you give money? Do you give food? People say that giving money only perpetuates the problem. Yet Jesus says to give to each who asks of you. How can I walk by? How can anyone?? But what can be done?

Jesus would talk to them, would meet them where they're at. He'd touch their hearts because He knows them. He'd offer to them Living Water and the Bread of Life. He'd introduce them to the Father. But I don't even know their language (I've learned a different one). When I do give water, juice or bread, do they know that it's given in Jesus' name? Is it enough?

These are not questions that I think I'll ever be able to answer. There was just something about that little passed-out toddler that tore even deeper into my heart than usual. This is something that we face here every day, and personally, I do help as the Lord leads, but at times like the other day, it's just so hard to take it in. It's something that I'll never get used to... though, perish the day I do.

Funeral

Like the weather that has seemed to change overnight from summer to fall, so too has life changed in one week. Last Saturday we sang at a baptism and danced at a wedding on Sunday. Then yesterday we gathered together once more to greive and pray with a family at a funeral. There are many thoughts I have, things I could say, but I must confess that this is one "cultural experience" that is much more personal and so will be closely held in my heart rather than shared. I do ask, though, that you please pray for the family, friends and community who have lost a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and dear friend. May the Lord give them great comfort and peace in this time.

The Birds pt #2: The Video

The last bit where it's pitch black and all you hear are a myriad of birds says it all. :)

The Birds!!! Like living in a Hitchcock movie

It's dusk in Kosovo and one by one they begin to gather. Lining rooftops and fences and filling tree limbs with dots of black. The eerie sounds of their conspiratorial crowing increases in volume exponentially as more and more arrive... hundreds of them... maybe thousands? Then in a moment the sky goes black!

"Ree Ree Ree!" goes the soundtrack in my head.... oh, wait, wrong Hitchcock movie. ;) Seriously, though, having seen the movie "The Birds" it's really creepy to be in Kosovo and to see and HEAR this phenomenon of black birds gathering at dusk and dawn. It's especially creepy after sundown when it's just pitch black and all you hear are hundreds of birds. Probably why I had bad dreams that night! lol.


At 6:15 the next morning I was startled awake by the sound of them gathering again on the rooftops... as I was having a really bad dream and still in a bit of a cloud you can imagine the shiver that went involuntarily down my spine! The sheer creepiness at watching them gather again. lol. Makes for a fun blog, though. Seriously, though, it's a really interesting sight to behold when they take to the sky. :)

Ramadan: Cafe's at Iftar

On Tuesday I went up to Kosovo to give some training in Quickbooks as well as to help set up a Quicken account (eek) for another colleague. The training went really well and the time seemed to fly by.... yet we worked at the details for a good 6 hours! Afterwards I enjoyed a grilled chicken kabab dinner with colleages before heading out with the girls to a cafe around 7pm.

Iftar (the breaking of the days' fast) was after sundown about 6:40, so when we arrived at the cafe it was pretty much deserted. My friends said that normally it's impossible to find a place in the cafes--especially at this time of night. But since everyone was with their families enjoying Iftar, we had our pick of the place.

Now here's something funny. Because it's such a busy place some people will actually call ahead and reserve a table. Well, like I said the place was empty when we got there, however there were several "reserved" signs on the different tables. When one of my friends asked about it they guy responded, "Oh, it's reserved for you!" lol.

As the night got later people began to show and the place did fill up (as the music increased in volume as well, moving from a mello jazz mix to a typical techno beat). What was interesting to me, though, was the cigarrette vendors who'd made the rounds through the cafe a good dozen times while we were there. Smoking is one of the things that people fast from during the daylight hours, so I imagine those vendors had quite the hoppin' business once the sun went down.

It's funny, but I don't go to Kosovo that often, but I always do seem to be there at some point during Ramadan (or Ramazan). This trip was no different. In fact, I'll be going up again right at Bajram (the ending of the months' fast) at the end of the month to help with closing out the books. I'm a little excited to be there at that time as from what I hear it's like a big holiday celebration with lots of baklava. :)

Wedding

On Sunday we celebrated the wedding of a friend of mine. She was so beautiful and her groom so handsome. She glided to the wedding march down a red carpet that was daintily touched with white rose pedals from the three flower girls. She looking radiant on her father's arm and the groom beaming with emotion watching her approach. The bride and groom were then seated on throne-like chairs decorated in the wedding colors for the majority of the ceremony until the exchange of vows and rings when they stand at the head of the aisle. Then as they were pronounced man and wife and presented to the guests great applause broke out. :)

Afterwards the family then guests come forward in a receiving line. As I edged closer and closer I was again a little confused as to what the etiquette would be for this type of greeting. Will we shake hands, kiss cheeks (once, twice, three times????) or?? I kept looking around for another American who had been to more weddings than I for a hint, but to no avail. Each of the ladies in front of me were kissing cheeks, so I assumed it would be the same. OK, can I tell you my relief when it came my turn and both the bride and groom gave me a hug?!?! Yeah, I'm such an American at times. But I was just so grateful they took the lead and I didn't get a chance to be awkward. :) (I was also on the verge of tears when I greeted her because I was so happy for them.)

At the reception the guests waited outside the restaurant for the arrival of the happy couple. They entered the hall first and then immediate family followed. At that point then everyone else entered. Once inside each of the guests were greeted by the couple and an official picture was taken by the wedding photographer with the couple. Later at the reception the pictures were made available along with a collage of other wedding photos of the couple for a modest price. What a neat idea that is!!

At the reception there was lots and lots of dancing. If you've never had the opportunity to do this type of line dancing or even to watch it, you are missing out! It's so much fun and everyone can participate and I must say the wedding party really knew how to dance well!! On the other hand, I still am amazed at how ladies can dance in 2-3 inch heals for hours on end. Me, I finally had to take my shoes off... only to find that the only other ones with their shoes off were children. Oops. (Other ladies took their shoes off as well, but only for the faster dances that had intricate steps... I'd taken my shoes off for the basic one!)

There were a few other cultural gaffs that I made, but I'll save those for another time. I will say this much, though, when/if I ever get married, I would love to have the following Macedonian elements in my wedding:

1. The bride and groom get to sit down
2. The receiving line is done right after the service at the front of the church
3. Cars in the wedding party are decorated at a local florist
4. The couple receives each guest at the reception and has a photo taken to be made available to the guest later.
5. Macedonian line dancing complete with band!
6. The bride and groom serve the cake to their guests

Please join with me in joy for the new couple and to pray for them and their future together.

Kilt's in Skopje

"Gledaj gledaj!" the taxi driver said while gesturing to the group of men on the sidewalk this morning as I was on my way to the gym. "Scottie." He was pointing out something you don't see every day here in Skopje: a group of men wearing kilts! And so the World Cup qualifier's begin here in Skopje with a match between Scotland and Macedonia.

OK, quick question for those of you "in-the-know." Why are qualifiers starting now?? Call me a futball ignorant (even though I did play center half for 4 years when I was younger) but isn't the next World Cup, like, 2 years away??

After working out at the gym this morning I went to Ramstore to do some grocery shopping, but first I stopped in the food court to get some lunch (1 hr interval walking on the treadmill and 20 laps in the pool and I'm hungry!). I'm also here with my laptop taking advantage of the internet free zone to update my laplop. Frankly, I'm finding it quite entertaining to be here as the Macedonia-Scotland game is on the big screen at the sports bar next to the Finger Food restaurant where I'm at (simply the best burritos in town).

[Don't you just love the "Coke-Light" served in a "Pepsi" glass??]

"Makedonija..." sung out as the anthem opened the game and just about 6 minutes later the crowd errupted "YAAAAAAHHHHHH!" and "GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLL!" for Macedonia. You know, a couple days ago I talked about cultural moments? Well, this is another one. Can you see the smile on my face?

Uh oh, the crowd is whistling and growing agitated... sounds like the Scot's are close to a goal of their own. Well, no matter who wins this game I must say that it was entertaining to see dozens of kilts around town. It's just not something you see every day here.

Oops, there goes the crowd again in excited cheers... ::::taking a sip of Coke-Light:::: maybe I'll go take a look. :)

Update later from an Internet Cafe: The City Stadium errupted in cheers as Macedonia just won the game 1:0! "Beep beeeeeep beeeeeppp!" go the car horns now down the main street (Partizanska) as the football fans cruise the streets, hanging out their windows, cheering and waving their ball-clubs flags and scarves to celebrate the victory. Likewise the sidewalks are now full of fans returning from the game and blowing their horns and waving flags as well. I think my neighborhood just may be a little noisy tonight. :)

Worship Practice

Last night we has worship practice for the International Church. It's so neat how everyone works as part of the team, even trying new things... like the gal who tried the drums on a song and as a result we all encouraged her that she should play on Sunday! What a great group of people and we have so much fun together. Especially lots of laughs as we started singing the wrong verse to a song or forgot a transition or missed an entry or ending.

Wednesdays are practice, so it's exactly that. There's a lot of detail involved in working out flow, transitions, what instruments to use, rhythm to play and what harmonies work best. Yet amazingly, there comes that moment when all the details seem to fade away and we simply play and sing our best for the Audience of One. Truly preparing ourselves for Sunday in the best of ways. :) Then as practice time closes we gather together to pray, for one another as well as for the congregation and for Sunday.

After practice, it's not uncommon for a couple, several or even all of us to head out for coffee (or ice cream as it's summer time). We just enjoy each others company and inevitably as we fellowship together we encourage one another in our lives and in our walk of faith. We also enjoy a lot of laughter together. Last night one of the gals and I we went to Stella's and enjoyed some yummy dessert while having great conversation and amusement over the fish in the fish-tank.

Please remember us in your prayers as we practice on Wednesday's and as we lead the congregation on Sundays. Thank you so much!

Ramadan Begins & The Call to Prayer

In the pre-dawn moments you can hear the strong and steady voice calling the Muslim faithful to start their day with prayer. Thus today began, the first day of the holy month of Ramadan for the Muslim faithful around the world.

Almost 20 years ago (shhh..) when I first learned about Islam and the 5 Pillars of Faith in a Cultural Anthropology class in college, I never conceived that one day I would be living here in the Balkans and seeing the faith lived out. As I do live here I thought that now would be a nice time to feature some of the culture and tradition associated with Ramadan (or Ramazan) here in the Balkans.

Ramadan is one of the 5 pillars of Islam and is a month of fasting, prayer, worship and contemplation. As the timing of the month is according to the lunar calendar, it occurs just a bit earlier each year (by about 11 days). When I first came here Ramadan was in the latter days of November. This year it's the entire month of September. Next year it will begin in August.

Yesterday the stores and pizars, usually quiet on a Sunday, were bustling and full as families set about to purchase provisions in preparation for this month. During the daylight hours the faithful refrain from food and drink, then just after sunset and the Call to Prayer, there is a breaking of the fast called "Iftar." I've never had the privilege to go to an Iftar, but I understand from friends in Kosovo that it's quite a feast and a great time spent with family and friends.

I hope to learn and share more in the coming weeks about how specifically the month is honored here among the Muslim populations of the Balkans. In the meantime, I thought I'd share with you a video I took back in July when I was in Albania. At that time the Call to Prayer rang out at 4:33AM (now in Sept sunrise is about 6:30AM)... I've included most of the prayer except for the beginning that I missed and a little bit in the middle as I got myself out of bed and to the balcony where you could see just the beginnings of sunrise appearing over the mountains.

When I lived in Bosnia for a while I was always fascinated how the Call would start with one voice and then one by one the other voices from other mosques would join in... the melody and harmony of each voice echoing through the valley and off the mountains. It's really a hard thing to describe, but that's my best try.

When there are visitors here to Skopje, there are two places I like to take them in order to really experience the culture when the Call to Prayer goes out. First is into the "women's section" of the Bit Pizar in old town where vendors sell head scarves, handkerchiefs with coins on them (used in dancing oros), traditional wedding outfits and beautiful curtains. It is a moment rich with culture to be in old town in the market surrounded by these handcrafts and then to hear the Call go out.

The second place I like to take visitors is up on Kale which is on a hill that has a great view of Skopje. On one side it overlooks the city center at the base of Mt. Vodno, but then it also has a view of the Old Stone Bridge, the Vardar and the oldest section of town (the charshia or чаршијата). There is a point on the eastern wall of Kale where you can stand and see 9 minarets in various places around that part of the city. Then as the sun sets (always spectacularly, btw) over the mountains west of the city in rays rich in shades of gold, one by one a ring of lights near the top of the mosques' minarets light up as the Call begins. Another moment full of culture and contrast here in this Balkan city.

Free Hugs in Skopje

It started by one guy in Sydney, Australia, standing on the street offering free hugs. Now what's known as the "free hug campaign" has traveled the world to places like New York, Austria, France, Finland, Japan, Korea and right here in Skopje, Macedonia.

Here's the video from downtown Skopje this summer... the song is "The Hardest Thing" by Toshe* from his English album:

And here's the original video and a news spot from Australia:

Hugging a stranger and in public is something that is culturally outside-the-box for most cultures in the world. The run-ins with police that people have had as well as the wide berth given to the huggers in most places testifies to this. Yet comment after comment that I read said how good people felt afterwards, how happy, encouraged. One commented that hugging a stranger showed her how we're really all the same. From the videos you can see faces change from suspision and quizicalness to amusement, joy and laughter. There's a world of people out there who are just a gesture of love away... and one person can make a difference.

Let us be encouraged by this to keep sharing the ultimate gift of love, given so freely and with arms open wide two millenia ago.

*******

Here are some of the other "free hug" videos:

Hollywood

Manilla

Amsterdam

Scotland

*Toshe Proeski died in a car accident last October. This song was release posthumously.