Christmas preparations

Kellie's Comments-- A normal day at home translates into an adventure when you're cruising. Today was a pretty typical day with plans to grocery shop, bake, clean and have a shower. At home that would be a busy but normal day. Here it's a challenge. Grocery shopping involved a long wet dinghy ride, a mile walk, and then the search for familiar ingredients. I had two things on my list for Christmas cookie recipes that are usual ingredients at home, -molasses and buttermilk. I prepared my list, looked it all up in the Spanish dictionary and set off. Molasses in Spanish is molaza. I couldn't find it on the baking aisle so I asked a clerk. She said "si" and motioned that I follow her across the store. We arrived at the "Mayonaisa" aisle and she smiled and left. Well I don't suppose that mayonnaise works in gingerbread. So then I searched the dairy case for buttermilk. There is butter, milk, cream, sourcream, half and half, milk, yogurt etc. So I ask for suero de leche. He tries to give me soy milk. Strike 2. Oh well, when in Rome. So we're out of luck for gingerbread but my trusty Better Homes and Garden cook book tells me how to substitute lemon juice and milk. I can at least make my grandmother's Kringla. Baking is still a challenge, but getting easier. I miss my Kitchenaid mixer, but my arm muscles are having a good workout. Ellie rolled the chocolate crinkles in sugar and licked the beaters. Showering is still a pain. We are out of hot water now until we run the engine again, so I heated it on the stove and poured it in the sun shower. Viola, hot shower. It's actually quite cool here this week. Grey clouds and wind dominate the weather. It's a bit like home. Christmas should be cold right? We have some meals planned with friends and have decorated the boat a bit. It's not the Christmas I'm used to, but the "reason for the season" hasn't changed and we can worship our loving Father from anywhere. Pete had a long drawn out process of checking in. First the office was closing, next day the computer was not working and the next day it was the printer. After 3 days we're officially legal in La Paz. Our pace is slowing down and we're getting used to only accomplishing a little bit each day. We're looking forward to getting back to the rural areas where we can swim and hike. Cities are not our first choice, but about once a month we'd like food, water and internet. We'll be here until about the 3rd and can get wireless internet, so send us your christmas letters and other news. We're eager for news from home. Kellie