Through the Seasons

We Made It

Well, we made it back from Dar all in one piece and with way too much stuff.  We really didn’t buy that much in all but it seemed like it because of the bigger items such as an oven and enough dog food to last 6 months.  We also stopped in Iringa to get our microwave from friends who were keeping it for us. 

Hopefully in the coming days I can share a few pictures although I didn’t take very many. 

So what did we find in Dar that got me all excited?  Let’s see…  Marshmallows but I forgot to get any so no Rice Krispie treats for us (yet).  (We found 2 boxes of Rice Krispies here in Mbeya and bought them.  Every time I see them in the cupboard I think of the lost “treat” opportunity.  But somehow there is comfort in knowing they are possible here…) 

What else?  Brown sugar, marishino cherries, cream of tartar, chili seasoning, taco shells, salsa, raspberries, rice without rocks (as far as we can tell), blue cheese, Lay’s sour cream and onion potato chips, and almonds.  We didn’t buy anything in bulk except the dog food.  We’ll probably go back to Dar in November just in time to shop for Christmas presents.  I found a few places that have things I’d like to send to people back home but we didn’t get anything just yet.  We’ll do that next time around. 

Let’s see…  Oh.  I got a pound cake pan too so now maybe with that and my new oven I can make a decent pound cake this time.  They had muffin pans in various shapes – butterflies, hearts, stars…but I just stuck with the traditional round.  Last night with my new purchases I made snickerdoodles and they were great.  I burned one batch but the rest turned out well and are now practically gone.  Ugh.  I enjoy baking a lot and way more than cooking.  We’re destined to get fat.    I plan to share our goodies as much as possible!

What can I still not find here?  Sour cream (but I plan to try to make my own), allspice, chocolate chips, walnuts and baker’s chocolate.  I did find M-n-M’s and bought some – BUT – they don’t taste or look quite the same and they’re EXPENSIVE!!  (So do send some on – they’ll be much appreciated!) 

I’ve found cream cheese here in Mbeya thankfully.  It made my carrot cake last week perfect because a carrot cake just isn’t a carrot cake without cream cheese icing.  But once again it’s very expensive.  I looked at a recipe for cheesecake (Jonathan’s favorite dessert) and we calculated the cost at $40!!!  Yikes.  That may have to be one of those “only in the States” things.  Along with frosty’s, mint ice cream, and my mom’s chocolate pound cake with chocolate icing.  Ergh.  Shouldn’t have brought that to mind really.  Heehee… 

Well, it’s getting late and COLD.  I better let the poor cold dogs in and get ready for bed.  Good night…