By the way... I'm in Ecuador (Child's Play)

time seems to stand quite still

in a child's world
it always will

yesterday's dreams are tomorrow's sighs watch children playing they seem so wise







song lyrics written by Moody Blues

By the way... I'm in Ecuador Part IV

Here are a few photos of our peaceful days

in Quito

By the way... I'm in Ecuador Part III

Can you hear this?? They are crickets though I haven't seen them come out...

In the evening they sing in chorus to the cacophony of the barrio perros
It sounds like wooden blocks tapping
or fingers snapping

*****

By the way... I'm in Ecuador

The past few days have been simple.

Monday was Independence day.
The Children played at the Park


Anabelle and I went to a Parade con Mamita Ana




Anabelle goes to school just up the street every morning from 8am-noon.
I am preparing to paint one of the guest bedrooms and
I am reaquainting myself with the Neighborhood
After picking up Anabelle we eat dinner with Los Abuelos y Matias
afterwards
I take the children out to play

By the way... I'm in Ecuador

I arrived in Quito Ecuador on December 1st. It was a long day of travel; leaving at 6 a.m. and arriving at 10:40 p.m. but my little one was an absolute trooper and a great travel companion.

Next day, the 2nd, was a day of unpacking and of play

Friday, Anabelle and I walked to the Market, La Floresta's Friday Cornucopia . Before I purchased my produce, Anabelle and I shared jugo de mora (raspberry juice).

and we found a park with a slide!

So much to see! Mountains, Clouds, and Planes momentarily flying by...

Later, Los Primos had Ice Cream

Mora, Vanilla, Chocolate, Coco, Brownie

Friday Evening I went with mi Cuñada, Ximena and her husband Dani to ride in La Chiva. The first week of December is called Las Fiestas de Quito to celebrate the foundation of the city and its Independence.

Sunday, December 5 2010
Anabelle and I went to our First partido de Futbol
La Liga de Quito
We won 2-0
I will never forget the experience










Los Faniticos Parading back to their cars and homes

Food Product of the Week

Beans are an essential staple in my household. My two-year-old daughter chooses not to eat meat and thankfully devours every sort of bean. I try my best to use dried beans and lentils. They work great for soups, but canned beans are fast and convenient.

The problem with eating from cans is that they tend to be loaded with sodium. I recently learned that practically all cans contain BPA. Organic Grace is a helpful website dedicated to listing all companies that put forth the effort of having non-BPA cans.

Eden Organic is one company that produces non-BPA cans. They do not add any additional sodium to the product. I have found Eden Organic products at Metro Mart Pick 'n Save, Wholefoods, Beans & Barley and Outpost. They offer a wide variety of beans and other products as well.

Add your beans in your scrambled eggs. Eat it with spaghetti pasta for some added protein. Combine pinto and black beans together, season with some Lawry's seasoning and garlic salt and eat with a side of rice, avocado and tomatoes. Yay for beans!!

Lunch Menu

With picky toddlers, every mom and dad are more than willing to accept suggestions. Today's lunch consisted of Alphabet pasta with tomato sauce along with a side of cubed avocado and peaches. Yummies!

Prep time is 15 minutes. For the pasta I use Eden Organic Vegetable Alphabets. I find this at the Metro Mart Pick 'n Save. After the pasta is boiled and strained, I return it to the stove top and add tomato paste. I use tomato paste rather than a sauce because the sodium is low (15 mg). The leftover paste can be stored in the freezer and used at another time. This is a great alternative to the canned pasta products.

Enjoy!

This Week's Agenda July 6-11

Milwaukee summers are the best. It is why many residents, such as myself, drudge through the winter in order to take full advantage of the outdoor weather seasons.

As a mother, my days consist of activities to busy and entertain my daughter. The following is a list of activities I will try to partake in.

July 6 - Skyline Concert Series begin at 5:30-8 . If Tuesdays aren't your days, there is a listing of other parks and businesses that will be hosting free music all summer long.

July 7 - Swimming. Read my upcoming post on great local beaches, ponds and pools.

July 8 - Bayshore Town Center hosts free concerts every Thursday at noon as well as at 6pm. Bring swimsuits for the children and pack a picnic!

July 9 - Bastille Days! This free Milwaukee festival will be going on from July 8 - 11. Saturday is Kids and Family day, but I like to go on Friday during the day. Not as busy.

July 10 - Another visit to Bastille days, but Saturdays are Market days. I live closest to the East Side Green Market at the Beans & Barley parking lot.

July 11 - Sunday is family day and there will be much to do: birthday party to attend as well as the championship game for the World Cup.