Mixed Messages

It's a good day. Why? Oh, just because I'm ready for it. :)

Voices

A view from the base of the Washington Memorial to the memorial of the other President from Illinois

In the fall of 2000, I was able to, for the first time, vote in the presidential elections. And with a majority of Americans, happily cast my vote for Al Gore.

In the fall of 2002, I marched with thousands of others through the candlelit streets of Seattle to voice my hope that Bush would not make the US military invade Iraq the following spring.

This fall, I've watched my parents worry as they near retirement and NPH International place a hold the construction of the new orphanage here because of extreme errors in regulation that always hurt the most vulnerable first.

And from my "forgotten corner of the world" last night, I realized why we continue with this insane thing called democracy. Because eventually, even though it may take time and a lot of hard work, you will be heard. This was the first time I felt that.

By the way, adding to all those reports from around the world, everyone I spoke to here (and they were the ones to always bring it up!) wanted Obama to win. 100%. Roberto called last night from the orphanage on the island to tell me "we won!"

Decide Who's Going to be Sleeping Here!

Ok! If you haven't voted already, now's your chance! I voted from an email I got, printed out, and mailed by post a week and a half ago.

And they won't really be sleeping at the Capitol Building, but you know what I mean!

If you don't vote, you can't complain! (And believe me, I've got a lot of complaining to do along with most of America!)

A Side Trip to Mt. Rainier

I just wanted to share this photo of Mt. Rainier taken on a trip in September.

I love the northwest (sigh).

Craning the Water Tank

So if you've been a reader here for a little while, you probably already know that we seem to have issues with water at the construction project. Not that we don't have water, thank goodness we do! It's just that all construction relating to water doesn't seem to go very smoothly.

Case in point. The Elevated Water Tank.

First was a long debate through several countries, over time zones and many, many opinions about how big it should be. We eventually settled on 15,000 cubic meters. Enough for a city of 500 children and their support staff, but not a lot extra.

We decided on this because once we have 500 children and everyone else, we really should have another well in case something happens to the first one, like the pump breaking down.

So the well itself took a loooooooong time.

And the elevated water tank was supposed to be finished in 45 days (according to the lovely Microsoft Project timeline put together by the company), the end date falling at the beginning of September.

Well that didn't exactly happen.

First it was stuck at the border (it's parts were fabricated in Honduras, it would be like having an international border for everything manufactured outside of Washington state.

Then that delay caused us to be in the middle of the worse part of the rainy season when they were trying to solder. And last, but not least, the crane came out, put up the support structure, and proceeded to get stuck in the mud so that it couldn't life the tank.

We have, however, reached that happy day where weather related delays are behind us (both because most of those activities are done and because the weather is starting to get nicer.

And, while it's been a somewhat stressful time since the first children move from the island in a month and a half, the company, Imnsa Argo, has been responsive to all our concerns and good to work with. Phew!

So now we're onto the next stage! We're currently working for approval from NPH International to begin the next phase of 3 or 4 houses!

Ginger Pumpkin Souffle

On my recent trip to the US, a friend gave me a little treasure to bring back to Nicaragua, a beautiful can of pumpkin. Needless to say, pumpkins are not plentiful around here and I haven't had this flavor for two years!

So I thought long and hard about how I would use this precious commodity well and eventually decided on 'Ginger Pumpkin Souffle' from Epicurious.

Soooo creamy, so good, so embodies the taste of fall.

A few notes -

Top it with dulce de leche and you won't be sorry.

It calls for 3/4 cup sugar, but in the actual directions call for it two times, so you actually need 1 1/2 cups of sugar.

It calls for soymilk, I used reguar, no problem.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups unsweetened soymilk, not low- or no-fat
1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
4 large egg yolks
3/4 cup sugar
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup solid-pack canned pumpkin
8 large egg whites

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375°F. Butter 8 6-ounce ramekins. In medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, bring soy milk to boil. Add ginger, remove pan from heat, cover, and let steep 30 minutes. Strain soy milk, discarding ginger, and set aside.

In large nonreactive bowl, whisk together egg yolks and 6 tablespoons of sugar. Whisk in flour until well combined. Gradually add hot milk, whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Return yolk mixture to saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook, whisking constantly, until custard boils and thickens enough to coat back of a spoon, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to large bowl, whisk in pumpkin purée, and set aside.

Using electric mixer with whisk attachment, beat egg whites until foamy and slightly opaque. With mixer running, add remaining 6 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, then beat until stiff but not dry. Fold 1/3 of egg whites into pumpkin mixture to lighten, then add mixture to remaining whites, folding in gently but thoroughly. Spoon batter into ramekins, filling almost to top, and lightly run finger around inside rim to create a "moat." Place ramekins in large baking pan. Place baking pan on middle oven rack and add hot water around ramekins to depth of 1 inch. Bake until soufflés have risen well above rim and tops are golden brown, about 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

Note: Silk brand soy milk, available in most supermarkets, is recommended for its rich, fresh flavor and creamy consistency.

We've Got a Lot of Work to Do!

So we're getting back to work!

What? We weren't working?

Ok, well we were always working, but over the last month, we were just finishing up jobs that we had already started, like a temporary school and kitchen for the 80 kids moving into the four houses in December. But now we can start the next houses!

All because NPH's National Director had a meeting with the President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega yesterday. Well, him and many many other people.

You see, for the last several months, the government of Nicaragua has been talking about non-profits being the center of money laundering in Nicaragua. NPH received notice about two months ago that we would be audited (along with lots of other non-profits). And about a month ago, it was announced that street children would go to foster homes and all other children's homes would be shut down (and here at NPH we stopped making contracts for future construction work).

Remaking an cow feed shelter into a four classroom school

Apparently that was a miscommunication.

In the meeting, the Sandanistas announced that they would not be shutting down all of the orphanages in the country, but that with teamwork and financial transparency we would continue on together.

So we're getting back to work!

Closing up the fire stove to funnel smoke outside (and it's being painted)