Mike and Anita James » food

Last Cooking Group for a While

Anita — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 20:51:36 +0000

Tonight was the last cooking group/Bible study/prayer group until the summer is over. The group, Ingredients for Life, was started by me and a friend, Kristi Reavis. We started it in 2006. The year Mike and I were in the States, the group kept going. I took it over again last year. I love this group!

We have someone who demonstrates some recipe. Then, we have a Bible study and prayer together. Oh yeah! We also sample the food. In the past, we’ve had women from a few countries, so we’ve had a variety of food.

Tonight, we decided to just hang out together and watch Julie & Julia. It’s a movie that is about a woman who cooks through Julia Child’s cookbook. We loved it! It’s about cooking, eating and relationships. The woman who cooks through the cookbook writes a blog about it. When the ladies were leaving, I thought, “This is a perfect time for me to write a blog about this group.”

I guess I have the summer to try out some new recipes before we start back. Any ideas on what I should make?

More Differences

Anita — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:03:46 +0000

Many things are different in America than in The Netherlands. Since we’ve already lived here, we know some of the things to expect. I like some of the things about American stores better – mainly the prices. And, I like some of the things about Dutch stores better. There aren’t as many choices, and I actually like that better. When we got back to America, I was overwhelmed with how many types of toothpaste and shampoo there are.

This is what the cereal aisle looks like in The Netherlands. (It also includes oatmeal.)

Cereal Aisle in The Netherlands

This is what the cereal aisle looks like in America.

Cereal Aisle in America

There’s a slight difference, huh?

Small Adjustments

Anita — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:44:17 +0000

We’re adjusting back to life in The Netherlands, and we’ve noticed that it’s happening much quicker than the first time we moved here. One of the things we’ve had to get used to is how much smaller everything is. Here is a drink from Whataburger in America:

Large Drink at Whataburger

Now, you need to compare it to the size of a drink at a cafe here.

Drink at a Cafe in The Netherlands

In America, there are free refills, and his drink costs about $2. In The Netherlands, there is no refill, and the drink costs about $3. We’re learning to pace ourselves!

Getting Back to Normal

Anita — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:43:37 +0000

We got back to The Netherlands on Friday afternoon. We were greeted at the airport by friends. They were cheering for us as we walked out. It was really nice to feel welcomed.

This was a balloon some friends gave Grace. It says Welkom Thuis/Welcome Home. It has some very typical Dutch things on it.

When we got home, one of the life groups from our church had food and flowers waiting on us. What a pleasant surprise! We also had a very special guest waiting on us, our dog, Boomer!!!

He has been with friends here for 14 months. We thought that it would be some time of adjustment for him and us as well, but he acted as if he had never been gone from us. He ran straight to Grace and they loved spending some time with each other. He had almost all of the same old habits – including running when he heard the ice maker. Boomer loves to crunch on ice.

Today, we got to spend some time at the beach with great friends. Grace got to enjoy some of her favorite things from The Netherlands.

I can’t tell you how many pictures I have just like this! She also got to enjoy one of her absolute favorite things – Italian ice cream (coconut flavored).

I won’t lie. I had some too. We also got to learn a little bit about how to play Cricket. Playing in the sand wasn’t always the easiest, but it was really fun! If you look in the background, you can see that Grace was more interested in making a castle than playing cricket.

Last Meals

Anita — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 16:04:07 +0000

During our last week, we wanted to stop at a few restaurants. Tuesday night, we went to Babe’s. Babe’s is an amazing restaurant where you can get fried chicken or chicken fried steak. They bring around wonderful sides – as much as you want. Can you see why we love this place. Mike and I actually shared the chicken fried steak. It makes me feel a little bit better about what all I ate.

On Wednesday, we went to one of my favorites, Taco Bell. I didn’t eat there that much in the past year, but I’m going to miss having the option of going there.

Finally, on the way to the airport on Thursday, we stopped at Pappasito’s. We wanted our very last meal to be really good Mexican food. We actually ate there on our way to the airport when we moved to The Netherlands in 2005. It’s a great tradition!

Only in Texas

Anita — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:26:14 +0000

While traveling, we see some really interesting things. We travel mostly in Texas and Arkansas. Since I’m an Arkansan, I’m often amused by the things you can find in Texas. We’ve stayed at a few hotels where you can make yourself waffles for breakfast. Only in Texas can you find them like these!

Waffle in the shape of the state of Texas

On our way to Giddings, TX this weekend, we passed a gas station. Listed on the outside were three qualities that are selling points. Here they are:

Friendly
Clean
Texan

Yesterday after church we went with the pastor to eat. Giddings, TX has one of the most unique restaurants I’ve ever eaten in.

Donuts and Seafood Restaurant in Giddings, Texas

Yes, you are reading this correctly. We had two donuts as appetizers and then had seafood. You’ve gotta love Texas!