A Heap of Adventures

Baby Animals

2009-09-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

The baby animals are so cute even if they grow up to be ugly adults!

I know this looks like I photo shopped this baby in. This baby was less than 2 weeks old. When a baby giraffe is born the mother delivers standing and the baby drops 6 feet! They usually come out feet first!

Baby Hyena

Baby Zebras are a different lighter color when they are born. When the mother is about to give birth she leaves the herd, delivers the baby, and then the mother and baby stay away from the herd for a couple of days so that the baby can bond with the mother and learn her strip pattern

Did you know that each zebra has its own stripe pattern? No two stripe patterns are alike --kind of like our fingerprints!

Lion cub hiding in the bushes
Baby Elephant--their gestation period is 23 months!

Masai Mara

2009-09-20T08:58:00.000-07:00

My brother Danny and his wife Dianna came to join us while we where in Kenya

We went up to Masai Mara to see the wildebeest migration. 1.9 million wildebeest migrate from Tanzania and the Serengeti to Kenya and the Masai Mara a trip of over 1,5000 miles following the rains in search of food and water. There are thousands of miles of plains with red oat grass which is their favorite food. There were just as many zebra too! They have to cross the Mara River to get to the grazing plains. Crocodiles just wait for the crossing and dinner!

Following the migration are the predators. Every safari drive we saw some sort of predator stalking for something to eat or with a kill!

The leopard was so close to us that at one time we could only get his head or his body in the picture!

We also got a chance to visit a Masai village. They still live in stick and dung huts and cook over open fires. The nearest power lines are 750 miles away.

This is the Masai War dance--can they jump! Love the bright colors they wear!

Man-Eaters of Tsavo

2009-09-05T21:56:00.000-07:00

Ever see the movie Ghost in the Darkness? The movie is filmed here -- it is a true story -- 100 years ago a rail road was being built from the Mombasa --on the Indian Ocean-- to Nairobi across Kenya. This was to transport supplies, visitors, and hunters. While it was being built in the area of Tsavo, many workers lost their lives to these lions. Hence the name Man-eaters of Tsavo. The interesting thing about these lions is that they have unusually high testosterone levels which makes them more aggressive and they have no mane. Kind of like male patterned baldness. They learned to like the taste of humans and were easy to catch as they didn't run fast. Hundreds of people lost their lives building this railroad to these lions.

Kenya is in a draught--they have not had measurable rainfall for 3 years

As a result many animals that rely on grasses are dying!

Baby elephants are so cute!

Cheetah's getting ready to hunt! I think these are one of the most beautiful animals in Africa!

Anderson's In Kenya

2009-08-27T01:56:00.000-07:00

We stayed with the Anderson's the senior couple that does humanitarian work there. This area where they live and work is very poor. Brother and Sister Anderson have helped these people establish gardens, taught them about water conservation and using fertilizers. As you can see by the photos the the smaller ears of corn were what they grew and his with a little fertilizer was 3 times the size.

They live in a small village about 4 hours from Nairobi. This is their combination bath and shower! First you roll up a towel and put it on the floor near the door so the water doesn't flow out into the rest of the house.

You turn the water on at the faucet and after your shower you squeegee the water to the end of room near the toilet out the drain the the floor! You can sit on the toilet and shower!

This is a "women garden" that 13 ladies tend. They have to hand pump the water into buckets, then they carry the water to their plot to water their gardens. Some of these ladies have had such success that they even sell their excess and are earning money.

The Anderson's are not only helping church members, but the whole community. When they see them coming in the white truck they come running to show off their gardens and ask for help.

This one of the small branches

Kenya Mission Tour

2009-08-26T21:25:00.000-07:00

We recently went on a mission tour to Kenya. Elder Renlund (the new counselor in the area presidency) and his wife where with us. The people of this area live still huts constructed of mud and sticks. They have no electricity or running water. Some walk up to 5 miles to get water for daily use. The Kenyan were so happy that a member of the 70's was coming to their remote village. They were so proud of the church that they spent two day getting the Stake Center ready for them.

Renlunds with a member at his home

Sweeping the dirt off the roof of the stake center

They raked patterns in the dirt and grass and washed the side walks

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOC!

2009-08-25T03:14:00.000-07:00

Yes today is the birthday of the man I fell in love with and married!

He has been a great father, grandfather, teacher, doctor and husband!

Even if he persuaded me to go to Africa with him!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

He served his mission in the Netherlands

I think this is where he learned to cook and gained his great love of bikes!

He spend three months in New Guinea during medical school! He loves adventures!

And now we are in Africa!

Global Warming In Africa?

2009-08-03T06:50:00.000-07:00

Well so much for global warming!

South Africa is having the coldest winter since 1947 !

It has been freezing--as our recent visitors have found out !

This week-end we went to a game park

and

who would have thought snow and hail in Africa?

I don't know if you can see the hail in his mane and on his back

Didn't seem to phase him!

Or Her !

Heather and Shauna's Big Adventure

2009-07-19T06:01:00.000-07:00

Our daughter Heather and our niece Shauna arrived in South Africa for a big adventure.

Our first stop was to Madikwe for a Photo Safari with a famous wild life photographer Colin Mead. We stayed at a bush camp, in tents, with no electricity,and the animals were free to wander though.

WE SAW

ELEPHANTS

ENDANGERED WILD DOGS

HYENAS
ZEBRAS
KING OF THE JUNGLE

NEXT STOP VICTORIA FALLS AND CHOBE
ROUGHING IT IN AFRICA

HEATHER WENT MICRO LIGHTING OVER THE FALL AND JET BOATING ON THE ZAMBEZI RIVER

SHAUNA AND RALPH WENT WHITE WATER RAFTING AND SHAUNA BUGIE JUMPED!
HIPPOS

GIRAFFES
MORE ELEPHANTS
CHEETAHS
BUT THE MOST FUN WAS GETTING TO PLAY WITH LION CUBS

Bacon-Wrapped Garlic Chicken

2009-07-18T02:01:00.000-07:00

I'm always looking for easy meal that doesn't take a lot of time or I can make in the morning--leave it all day and have ready when I get home!

Tried this one here in Africa ( with a little modification) I put it together before church and it was done when we got home!

Hope you like it too!

Bacon-Wrapped Garlic Chicken

4 bacon slices

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 10oz can roasted garlic cream of mushroom soup

1/2 c. sour cream

1/4 c. flour

Wrap one slice bacon around each chicken breast. Place in slow cooker. Combine soup, sour cream, flour and mix together. Pour over chicken. Cook on low 6-8 hours(or high 3-4.) Serve over rice for an easy fabulous meal!

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

2009-06-21T06:05:00.000-07:00

I have been lucky enough in my life to have had two wonderful men in my life that I could call father. I didn't bring old photos with we to Africa so I can't post pictures of them, but I can tell you a little about them!!

Lawerence Henry Gignac was my birth father. He died when I was twelve. I have wonderful memories of him. He always had a smile on his face, everyone loved him, he loved his children, he taught us how to fish and clean fish at a very young age. He loved the water and loved to sail, and was a charter member of Spring Lake Yacht Club. People loved to have him "crew" for them during races--they won lots of races and I remember lots of trophies at our house in Mich. Most summers we spent at the lake at his parents boat house. This is where we all learn to swim and to love the water. My brother Danny looks a lot like my Dad and has many of the same interests. Danny actually lives on the water, has a boat even though he lives in Arizona!

A year or so after my father died my mother met a wonderful man named Hilding Krusell.
He agreed to take on 4 children that were still grieving for their father.
He moved with us to Arizona--my brother was a severe asthmatic at the time and was in an Asthmatic school. After arriving in Arizona he married my Mom. I'm sure we weren't the easiest kids to raise especially with 2 of us being teenagers. He provided for us and loved us unconditionally. He taught me how to work on cars--I replaced a water pump and alternator on a 1952 Oldsmobile convertible that he bought me when I learned to drive. It was a bright yellow convertible with black and white checked interior. Oh how I wish I had that car now. It was a tank and I think that was why he bought it for me.
He had many struggles in his life but though determination he over came them. He had cancer twice and fought the battle and was in remission when a third type of cancer eventually took his life. He never complained or said why me. He was a deeply religious man even though he practiced no specific religion.
He is the only grandfather that my kids knew. He love them so much and they loved him

Now to the father of my children! Being a medical doctor, his life was very busy. He managed to coach our sons basketball and baseball teams. Attended their soccer games and all of Heather's dance recitals even though they were always on a play-off night. He read to them almost every night and instilled in them a great love of reading. He was their friend and took them on many fun trips that sometimes included humanitarian projects. He was always the first to go quad riding, start paint gun wars, race cars, go jet skiing or snow skiing or was setting up the "sling shot" always with the kids fun in mind. I am truly blessed to have married this great man!
Enough though he has taken to far away places away from my children and grandchildren --I STILL LOVE HIM!
I am proud to watch my sons becoming great fathers too!

Transportation In South Africa

2009-06-10T07:32:00.000-07:00

Ambulance

Pick-up truck

Only in South Africa

2009-06-10T07:11:00.000-07:00

African Hot water heater

English is only a 2nd language

You've got to make allowances

Maybe they could get two or three more in!

Walk Man

Zimbabwe

These are some of the many funny pictures we have taken here. Everyone needs a smile or good laugh in their day. Hope you enjoy them!

Mission Presidents Seminar Victoria Falls

2009-06-05T03:13:00.000-07:00

Southeast Africa Area Presidency Mission Presidents & Wives

We had the pleasure of attending this years mission presidents seminar at Victoria Falls. I have never met a more dedicated, hard working, loving bunch of people. These are the people that are taking care of our missionaries in south east Africa. They are on call 24/7 . Most of the missions have between 80 and 200 missionaries. How would you like to inherit that may teenagers!

Elder Wells (Mental Health Advisor)giving advice

This is 4 days when the mission presidents and their wives get together for meetings (2 days) and two days of much needed rest and relaxation

Most talked on their phone

Pres. Christensen needed a nap!
We saw some great animals!

Best of all we had a great time with these 11 Mission Presidents and their wives. We had to say our tearful Good-byes to Pres. and Sister Gaya -- Madagacar Pres. and Sister Packard--Moszambique , Pres. and Sister Bester--Zimbabwe and last but not least Pres. and Sister Livingstone --Congo who have finished their 3 years. They will all be returning home to their family and friends. You have done a great job and we well miss you!

Peanut butter cup bars

2009-06-05T02:56:00.000-07:00

I found this recipe on Krista -- my niece's blog and thought it looked great.

I must be hungry!
Sorry I haven't been blogging We have been so busy with sick missionaries. The two that are staying with us right now Elder Bailey and Elder Peterson call us MOM and DAD. I haven't cook this much since I had teen age boys at home! Think I might try this one tonight see if they like it--can't be bad peanut butter and chocolate!

Peanut butter cup bars

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup sugar

3/4 cup butter or margarine

3/4 cup peanut butter

2 eggs

3/4 tsp soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup oats

Cream together sugars & butters. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Add remaining ingredients and mix well.Spread into a jelly-roll pan and bake @ 350 10-12 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes.

Whip 1 1/2 cup peanut butter and spread over warm bars.

When completely cool, spread with chocolate frosting. (homemade or canned)

A little history lesson

2009-04-17T10:02:00.000-07:00

Axum

The Chapel of the Tablets

What an amazing place! Here are some facts I learned about Axum

1. This was the first major empire to convert to Christianity around 330 AD!

2. It is the alleged rest place of the Ark of the Covenant

St. Mary of Zion claims to contain the original Ark of the Covenant. According to tradition, the Ark came to Ethiopia with Menelik I after visiting his father King Solomon. Only the guardian monk may view the Ark, in accordance with the Bible accounts of the dangers of doing so for non-Kohanim. This lack of accessibility, and questions about the account as a whole, has led foreign scholars to express doubt about the veracity of the claim. The guardian monk is appointed for life by his predecessor before the predecessor dies. If the incumbent guardian dies without naming a successor, then the monks of the monastery hold an election to select the new guardian. The guardian then is confined to the chapel of the Ark of the Covenant for the rest of his life, praying before it and offering incense. Agreeing with ancient sources about a magnificent light emitted from the Ark, the History Channel in a 2008 special claimed that many of the guardian monks have died in short time, mostly with cataracts having formed in their eyes.

In the 1950s the Emperor Haile Selassie built a new modern Cathedral next to the old Cathedral of Our Lady Mary of Zion that was open to both men and women. The old church remains accessible only to men.
Reportedly, the Ark was moved to the Chapel of the Tablet adjacent to the old church because a divine 'heat' from the Tablets had cracked the stones of its previous sanctum. Emperor Haile Selassie's wife, Empress Menen paid for the construction of the new chapel. It remains a significant center of pilgrimage for Ethiopian Orthodox Christians.

Little do they know that the Ark of the Covenant because of Raiders of Lost Ark and Harrison Ford it is housed in one of the many warehouses by the US government in Washington DC

3. The ruins of the Queen of Sheba palace is here originally built in 1000 BC

4. 1700 years ago Obelisks were constructed.
Without doubt, Aksum's most impressive remains are the royal tombs and their fabulous markers, the 'stelae' or obelisks. Even the plain examples are impressive, cut from hard local granite. But truly staggering is a series of six carved examples. These seem to depict the dead rulers' palaces---their tombs lay beneath, and it was our good fortune to be the discoverers of this underground world. The stelae---or so we may conjecture---were the stairways to heaven for the kings of Aksum. At the base are granite plates with carved wine-cups for offerings to the spirit of the deceased. The largest stela is certainly among the biggest single stones ever quarried by human labour. It testifies to the magnificent self-esteem of the unknown ruler who had it extracted and dragged several kilometres to its final site, and to the skill and artistry of those who prepared and decorated it. Over thirty-three metres tall, the stele represents a thirteen storey tower, with elaborate window-tracery, frames, lintels, beam-ends, even a door with a bolt.

Coptic Church

Bike shop --notice plastic chair attached to bike!

EASTER IN AFRICA

2009-04-10T23:24:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EASTER FROM AFRICA

EASTER IN AFRICA IS QUITE DIFFERENT HERE!

FRIDAY WAS A DAY OFF OF WORK - EVEN THOUGH IT IS GOOD FRIDAY IT WAS A NATIONAL HOLIDAY AND MONDAY IS ALSO A NATIONAL HOLIDAY IT IS CALLED EASTER MONDAY. WE HAVE A LOT OF JEWISH PEOPLE HERE SO THEY ARE CELEBRATING PASSOVER. ALL STORES ARE CLOSED ON FRI. AND MON. BUT ARE OPEN ON SAT. AND SUN.

THEY ALSO HAVE AN EASTER PARADE AND CELEBRATION OVER THE 4 DAY WEEKEND

THIS IS ALSO NOT WHAT YOU THINK--IT IS A CRICKET TOURNAMENT WITH THE PLAYERS PARADED AROUND THE FIELDS.

THEY DO HAVE EASTER EGG HUNTS--BUT THOSE ARE DONE ON EASTER MONDAY.

NOT MUCH IS SAID ABOUT THE REAL MEANING OF EASTER AND THE DEATH AND RESURECTION OF JESUS CHRIST .

WE HOPE YOU HAVE A GLORIOUS EASTER AND REMEMBER THE TRUE MEANING OF THIS SEASON

Ethiopia--Lalibela

2009-04-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

I know I haven't posted in 5 months--the only excuses are:

1. Blog challenged

2.Really busy taking care of missionaries

3. Lazy

4. Making jewelry from African trader beads

We recently took a trip to Ethiopia with President and Sister Christensen. What an amazing country. The above pictures are of the Coptic churches that are carved right out of the mountains or out of caves. In this small area there where 8 churches. Each had a different purpose-- One for men only, one for baptism by immersion in a font, one for women , another for singing and chanting, and one for its healing waters that drip from the rocks into pools. It took these people approximately 40 years to chiseled the churches out of the rocks. It is amazing the intricate work that was done with a chisels. We had to climb up the hills and then walk down narrow tunnels to get to each of the churches. This was done so they could protect the churches from invaders. There is some speculation that these were built by the Templar Knights looking for the Ark and Covenant. Some of these churches are 3 stories tall. The insides were intricately carved with multiple arches, painted beautifully murals with handwoven tapestries hanging inside. The churches still hold services here daily. We got up early one morning hiked up to one of the churches to attend one of their services. The religion they practice is a form of early Christianity that is called Coptic. They still use the ancient language of Gee. Each church has a "Holy of Holies" area with a replica of the Ark and Covenant . Of course we were not allowed in there!

Lalibela is a world heritage site. It is very remote and after flying in a small plane to a landing

strip, we then took a van up a winding road for a hour to Lilabela. Lilabela only gets 20,000 visitors a year compared to 3,000 visitors a day to Petra in Jordan--made famous by Raiders of the Lost Ark. There are two "hotels" and only one restaurant in town. I use the word restaurant loosely--thank heavens for granola bars! The "hotel" we stayed at claim to fame was Bill and Chelsea Clinton stayed there! We got to stay in the same room. Which is not saying much as there was only 8 rooms at our hotel.

Peanutty Buckeye Bars

2009-01-29T06:38:00.000-08:00

What could be better than chocolate and peanutbutter!
I thought this was a great recipe and easy ---But what with the name---Buckeyes?

Peanutty Buckeye Bars

Ingredients
1 19.5-ounce package brownie mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 cup chopped peanuts
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup peanut butter
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13x9x2-inch baking pan; set aside. In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, eggs, and oil. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Stir in peanuts. Remove half of the brownie mixture and set aside. Spread the remaining brownie mixture evenly into prepared pan.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together sweetened condensed milk and peanut butter until smooth. Spread evenly over brownie mixture in pan. Separate the remaining brownie mixture into pieces, flatten them with your fingers, and place them on top of the brownie mixture in pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until top is set and edges are lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Makes 32 bars.
4. To Store: Layer cookies between waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

What a disaster!

2009-01-26T06:58:00.000-08:00

Maybe you can't teach an old dog new tricks! I looked at the previous post after it was posted and what a disaster! I spent a couple of hours redoing so it looked perfect and look what happened. Where is the book called Blogging for Dummies when you need it! Forget about the wallpaper stuff and cute borders--I was doing the basics. You younger generation is so much more talented and computer savy! I was so excited and had lots of posts to add after our recent trips to Ethiopia and Uganda--so I'm going to apologize before hand !

Greater Zimbabwe Ruins

2009-01-25T02:40:00.000-08:00

While in Zimbabwe for the Cholera outbreak we had the opportunity to attend a branch there. The Church had previously had a regional conference for the Africans which was taped. We went with the senior couple to a small branch 3 hours away from the capitol city of Harare. We went supplied with a generator, 150 feet of extension cords, computer, projector, screen, and all kinds of adaptors. On the way we got a chance to stop at the Greater Zimbabwe ruins. This is the ruins of the most advanced civilization in all of Africa, from about a 1,000 years ago. The empire stretched over much of southern Africa and is claimed be the home of the Queen of Sheba. We hiked around the area for a couple of hours and heard all about the history of this area.

Arriving Sat. afternoon at the branch, the men set up the equipment for Sun., I spent the afternoon teaching about cholera prevention. This village has not had electricity for a month. Hence the Generator!

The hotel we were staying at told us they had water. I was so excited to take a bath so I turned the water on and got ready to soak in the tub. MAYBE NOT!

Sunday morning we arrived to find the chapel full ( 120 people) and electricity ON! It stayed on for 2 hours during the presentation and quit about 10 minutes after! Miracle?

Walking to Church Love this little girls choice of shoes!

Cholera Outbreak

2009-01-25T01:48:00.000-08:00

Sorry I haven't posted in awhile, but just after Thanksgiving, a Cholera outbreak happen in Zimbabwe. We have been really busy dispensing cholera medication, special water filtration systems and teaching classes on how to prevent Cholera since then. Cholera is a disease that causes diarrhea that is so severe that death can occur in as little as 8 hours. The interesting thing about cholera is it is a fairly weak bacteria, the treatment is hydration and 1 dose of doxycycline. You get cholera from drinking water that has been contaminated with the bacteria. It is not spread though the air or from contact. Our first step was to institute guidelines for the missionaries on how to prevent Cholera. We then arranged for a cholera vaccine to be shipped in(this vaccine is not available in US) from France. The vaccine has to be fridgerated, so we filled suit cases with Styrofoam boxes and ice packs and the vaccine and boarded a plane headed for Zimbabwe.

Upon arriving we found our hotel had no water and were going to be put up in an apt. that had a well. We had to go to a facet, across the street, with buckets fill them up and fill the bath tub with water. This was used to flush the toilets and for bucket bath. The next problem was no electricity for the 7 days we were there! You needed the electricity to boil the water to make it safe to drink. We drank bottle water and took cold bucket baths! No wonder they have cholera!

We met with the embassy people who told us all the public hospital were now closed for lack of supplies, private hospitals had very little supplies, and they didn't feel that the cholera outbreak would peak until March -April when the rainy season was over! Statistic are not very good here, but an estimated 250,000 have died. They think it is at least double or triple that!

With the lack of water and other governmental problems, the local people are starving here.

The church has dig up all the land and grass around the church buildings, have planted gardens for the members. We also provide water for the gardens.

Madagascar 2

2008-12-19T21:26:00.000-08:00

Many of you have asked why we were in Madagascar was it just for fun or we were working. Well a little of both! We went to check on the hospital and doctors that treat our missionaries. Visiting with the missionaries and checking on their health was also on the agenda.

While we we were there we we invited to a dedication of a water project that our church funded. The villagers dung the trenches and made the bricks and we supplied the pipes, cistern and pump for the water, along with the facets and cement. This project brought clean water to 12 villages and a school. With out clean water these people walked up to three miles to a stream for water. Most of the time the water is not sanitary and many children die from the bacteria in the water.

Some of the cute little boys from the village.

The toilet facilities are pit in the ground with bricks enclosing it! The little kids have to be careful or they will fall in! The one room school house

Madagascar is known for their Lemurs. We got a chance to go to the jungle/rain forest to look for them. The only place in the world that Lemurs live and are found in the wild is Madagascar. They have 13 types here. Two of the cutest!

Madagascar

2008-12-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

MADAGASCAR
Never saw the movie either #1 or #2 but actually got to go there. We made a trip across the the ocean to an island off the east coast of Africa. Madagascar is the third largest island in the world. Antananarivo is the capitol city and sits on top of a hill. During colonial time it was built here to protect the city from attacks. Madagascar was a french colony so the older part of the city has cobble stone streets and many building have French architecture. Our Hotel was right next to a french patisserie and oh the croissants, bread, and sandwiches. If you ever watched the Amazing Race this was one of the spots they stopped at. The country is very hilly and they can grow anything in this climate. The farms are terraced up the hill side. Everything that is grown here is organic and the road side stands are filled with beautiful fruits, vegetables, and flowers. The farmers support themselves with what they grow and will walk many miles twice a week to a local market to sell what they have grown. They average Malagasy actually eats 350 pounds of rice a year.
These are the kids pounding the bran off the rice.

Then they sift the bran off by flipping he rice in the air and having the bran fall to the ground. They sift off the most nourish part of the rice.

They were more than happy to do this work while we around watching--I wonder if they were this helpful if we had not been there.

They also make bricks by hand out of clay they dig out of their plots of land. All the buildings in rural Madagascar are made of bricks, instead of wood or tin. They actually use all the wood for fires and cooking

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2008-11-26T04:44:00.000-08:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING !

WE MISS YOU ALL!

HAVE A GREAT TURKEY DAY!

Caramel Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

2008-11-26T03:43:00.000-08:00

This one might be a little too late for Thanksgiving but it I think it looks Fabulous!

Caramel Pumpkin Pecan Cheesecake

Crust:12 ounces storebought gingersnaps
1/2 cup chopped pecans
6 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons brown sugar
Dash of salt
Filling
4 packages cream cheese
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
4 eggs
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 jar caramel topping
Extra chopped pecans
Extra crushed gingersnaps
In a food processor (or large ziploc bag) crush gingersnps. Add chopped pecans, melted butter, brown sugar, and salt, and pulse (or mix) until thoroughly combined.Press into bottom and sides of a 10-inch springform pan. Chill for 20-30 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy. Add pumpkin and spices and mix again. Add eggs one at a time, mixing for 20 seconds between each addition. Add cream and mix until just combined.
Remove crust from fridge. Pour 1/2 jar of caramel topping on crust. Sprinkle caramel with chopped pecans. Gently pour cheesecake filling in pan. Even out the top with a flat spatula.
Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes, or until no longer soupy. Cheesecake should still be somewhat jiggly. Cool on counter for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, pour the rest of the caramel topping over the top. Smooth with a flat spatula until evenly smooth. Cover and chill cheesecake for another four hours or overnight.
Remove rim from pan and slice. Sprinkle each slice with extra crushed gingersnaps.

Top Ten Favorite Things To Be Thankful For!

2008-11-24T23:15:00.000-08:00

1. I'm thankful that a Big Mac has 20% less fat than a plate of fat
2. Guides for the correct use of toothpicks
3. My skoll education
4. Caller ID
5. Never having been murdered by O.J. Simpson
6. Flat rate, unmeterer, internet access (that's only in the US)
7. E mail, Vonage and Skype
8. Flush Toilets
9. The arrows that show you which to insert batteries
10. Brave turkeys who give their lives for us!

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Wish we could be there to celebrate thanksgiving with you! I'm really going to miss my Mom's turkey and dressing, not to mention all the other fixings!

Things To Be Thankful For

2008-11-18T00:45:00.000-08:00

With the economy being so bad in the U.S. and being so far away from family at Thanksgiving time I have been thinking of some of the things I am thankful for. Here is one list I found! We really do have alot to be thankful for!

Be thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means you have
enough to eat.
Be thankful for the mess you clean up after a party, because it means you have
been surrounded by friends.
Be thankful for the taxes you pay, because it means you're employed.
Be thankful that your lawn needs mowing and your windows need fixing, because
it means you have a home.
Be thankful for your heating bill, because it means you are warm.
Be thankful for the laundry, because it means you have clothes to wear.
Be thankful for the space you find at the far end of the parking lot, because it
means you can walk.
Be thankful for the lady who sings off-key behind you in church, because it
means you can hear.
Be thankful when people complain about the government, because it means we
have freedom of speech.
Be thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it
means you're alive.
~

2008-11-13T22:03:00.000-08:00

OOPS
IN THE RECIPE FOR PUMPKIN GINGERBREAD TRIFLE--I ACTUALLY WROTE CARDAMOM INSTEAD OF CINNAMON -- YOU CAN USE EITHER ONE BUT I LIKE IT BETTER WITH CINNAMON

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle

2008-11-13T21:27:00.000-08:00

Looking for something different for Thanksgiving dessert?
My friend Sandra Biehl made this dessert last year and I've been dreaming of it ever since!
In the true style of Sandra she didn't use Cool Whip, but real whipping cream. It looks beautiful layered in a clear glass trifle dish.
We were actually licking the bowl to get the last morsels it was so good !

Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle
Ingredients:
2 14-ounce packages gingerbread mix
1 5.1-ounce package cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix
1 30-ounce can pumpkin pie filling
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 12-ounce carton Cool Whip
1/2 cup gingersnaps (optional)
Directions:
Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cardamom into the pudding. Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, clear bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped cream. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding, and whipped cream. Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps if desired. Refrigerate overnight. Trifle can be layered in a trifle or punch bowl.

Zambezi White Water Rafting

2008-11-13T09:26:00.000-08:00

Our son Kristopher, and daughter in law Sarah came to visit us in South Africa. They are quite the thrill seekers! They wanted to jump off the second highest bridge in the world, fly across the Zambezi gorge and go white water rafting. No bungee jumping for me but count me in for the white water rafting! We navigated 23 class
3,4,& 5 rapids in 3/4 of a day. It was like the whole Colorado river in one day!
It was thrilling,exciting and scary. We flipped the raft completely over twice and I did some of the rapids by myself without the aid of the raft. Yes I did fall out!
I survived the experience to tell about it!

Chobe Game Park

2008-11-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

We were also lucky enough to visit Chobe Game Park in Botswana. What a great adventure! The first morning we when out in a boat on the Chobe River . Talk about up close and personal!

We had hippos coming up next to the boat. Elephants crossing the river and frolicking in the water and rolling in mud. We even got to watch a new born elephant learning to walk! When the elephants crossed the river some were so small that all you could see was their trunk sticking out of the water! Too bad we missed that shot. That afternoon we went on a game drive and got to see these darling monkeys and the beautiful leopard. We saw lions staking a warthog and saw a lioness with her newly killed male kudo. It was just like we were watching the Discovery Channel or Planet Earth. We have been on several game drive now and I am amazed that it never gets boring.

Say Aahh
Cute family

This baby was only

couple of day old.

This is the way I look when I have to go to the bathroom!

And yes we saw the ever present crocodiles

just waiting for some animal to get too close to

the river!

Medikwe Slideshow

2008-10-24T10:45:00.000-07:00

No these are not post cards from Africa. We actually took these pictures! Medikwe is a game park between South Africa and Botswana. We stayed at Mosetlha Bush Camp --kind of like going to girl's camp--No electricity, heat your water for a shower, and there was no fences between us and the animals! The animals roam free for hundreds of miles and you go out in open Land Rovers and try to find them. We spent 2 nights here and had a blast. The walkways were lighted with Keroscene lamps at night it was so magical and we had the delight of seeing the all the stars and the Southern Cross in it's full glory .Kris and Sarah came to visit us and I have to give them credit for helping me do the slide show and getting me inspired to Blog again! More to come!

Madagascar

2008-09-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

Madagascar

Haven't seen the movie, but was actually there! We recently took a trip to Madagascar to visit the hospitals, clinics, and doctors. What a beautiful place! Madagascar is a large island off the eastern coast of Africa. It is French speaking as it used to a colony of France in the colonial days.

Antananarivo is the capitol city and built on hill. If you ever watched Amazing Race they had one spot here. The architecture is very French with cobble stone streets, beautiful ornate building, and small markets on every corner. Our Hotel was next a french patisserie and oh the great pastries, bread, and sandwiches. You would think we were is France.The country side is beautiful with terraced fields--they can grow anything here, and it is all organic. Road side stalls

Happy Birthday Doc!

2008-08-26T04:59:00.001-07:00

Happy 57 th birthday to the Doctor!
Who would have thought that you'd be in Africa for your birthday? Oh maybe just about everyone that knows you and your lust for adventure.
It was a great day for the Doctor! He got two of the best presents he could think of.
Kris ( our oldest son) and mandolin player in the Bluegrass Band -- Fed Ex'd ( I'm sure at great expense) the recently released copy of Bluegrass Renaissance by the Red Mountain Bluegrass Band. For those of you that don't know, that was the band the doctor and his family played in before our departure to Africa.
Gavin our 4 year old grandson called -- Really Long Distant--to Grandpa and sang Happy Birthday to him over the phone. He also told him that he would get the shiniest coin out of his piggy bank and sent it to him for his birthday!
We sure love those Grand kids they just melt our hearts!

Interesting Names

2008-08-17T10:49:00.000-07:00

Since being here in South Africa we have met a lot of wonderful people. The interesting thing is their names. The Malagasy ( those people from Madagascar) have the longest last names. Many have at least 28 letters in their last name. This is why you call them by their first names. ( Elder Sam or Sister Joan) The Elders and Sisters from Madagascar have to have a smaller font used on their name tags and in most cases Elder or Sister is the first line and their last name takes up the second line!
Here in South Africa they have very interesting first names--Here is my top ten unusual name we have run into---
Precious
Beauty
Zebulon
Ajax
Petunia
Queen
Princess
Prince--I guess Michael Jackson has used this one!
Gift
Blessing--this is a returned missionary who is the Young Men's Pres. in our Branch and is learning to play piano.
The next time we meet an Elder or Sister from Madagascar I am going to take a picture of their name tags!

Swaziland

2008-07-10T11:43:00.001-07:00

Bushman Cave Paintings

For the last 5 days we have been in Swaziland. This is a small "Kingdom" on the borders of South Africa and Mozambique. They have a "King" and a Queen Mother the " elephant queen" of this country. I don't know if I would like the title of elephant queen if I was a ruler! The new king is the youngest and only son of one of the many wives of the previous king. He was said to had have 44 wives. The new king takes his place when he dies. This new king has 14 wives so far. He has to choose wives from the different tribes/ families in his country. It is a beautiful country with mountains and lots of forest, and lakes. They are known for the bushman painting that were done in caves thousands of years ago. These have been protected and preserved and the doctor went see them while I was teaching classes. We went there with a group from Salt Lake City to teach infant recessistation to the midwives and nurses. The teaching hospital provided us with 4 of their teachers to help us. 1,000,000 infants will die each year in third word countries because of the lack of knowlege and equipment to help these babies take their first breath of life. 95 % could be saved with the knowlege and equipment. The midwives deliver all the babies and the doctor is only called for c-sections! Each day we had approximately 45-50 midwives that learned how to recessitate "infants" we had black baby dolls to practice on. These midwives in tern will teach the other nurses and midwives the proper procedures at their facility. After completely the course their hospitals and clinics were provides with the Teaching Kits ( we called this our baby in a bag) as it contained a baby, ambu bags and masks, stetascopes, bulb syringes, blankets , towels, and training equipment all in a duffle bag. All the hospitals and clinics also received additional equipment for their delivery rooms. 60 huge boxes were shipped in before we got there. I should mention here that we also provided them with big clock with a second hand so they could count the heart beats of the newborns. Batteries were included! Most of the facilities didn't even have clocks in the delivery rooms.I met many dedicated wonderful hardworking men and women who deliver these infants all by themselves in most cases. They must take care of the infant and the mother without any back up help! Because of the Aids epidemic this country has lost more than 1/3 of the population in the last 10 years. Ten years ago this countries population was 1.2 million today it is 900,00 . Most of the people that die from Aids are in the age range of 20-40 years old. Just recently they have started Aids awareness campaigns and condoms are freely given out. What a shock to us to find that free condom dispensers are on all the counters of fast food resturants, gas stations, grocery stores, and bathrooms and even in our hotel room . At least this country is trying to save their population!

Maternity Ward

2008-06-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

Maternity ward at the largest hospital in the World!
These two pictures are of the recovery room, after they deliver their babies!

One of my best friends daughter had a baby this week. She had a darling baby girl which they named Elizabeth Kate--Ellie ! It reminded me of a recent visit we made to the largest hospital in the world right here in South Africa. We are so blessed to live in the United States and have such wonderful hospitals.

On this trip we were taking new born blankets and hats to the new mothers. In a previous trip we had taken 2,000 hospital gowns and 4,000 hospital sheets. If the women have no insurance they can come here and for 14 rand which is about $2.00 U.S. they can deliver their baby. The maternity ward and nursery and is a complex of old army barracks.

While waiting for the hospital official to come , we watched 8 very pregnant, definitely in labor women walk past us with file in hand to a wooden bench where they waited their turn to go in and deliver. This hospital delivers about 40 to 60 babies in a 12 hour period. Day in and day out. The mothers are allowed to stay 3 to 4 hours and are then sent home. The delivery area is a large room with 20 beds and only thread bare screens between them. One doctor is on staff and the babies are delivered by "Mid-Wives". After they deliver they are sent to "ward" where there are 24 beds which were all filled and the rest of the mothers were sitting on chairs around the room with their new babies in plastic bassinetts. This hospital delivers over 22,000 babies a year!

The nurse told us that all women are tested for HIV and if infected they start the babies on the antiviral medication right away. I asked if they had trouble getting the medication. They said no, but getting them to take it or bring the babies back is another problem. As we drove into the hospital there were two huge ads on the side of the road that said "Cure AIDS with Herbal Tea"

It has only been recently that the new Minister of Health has started an Aids/HIV program. The previous Minister of Health advocated garlic and herbal teas for a cure. He was actually laughted out of the UN meeting on Aids prevention.

The blankets and hats had been donated by a young women group from the states and came in 6 huge boxes which where put in shopping carts by the hospital and then rolled to the recovery area. Our mistake was not opening the boxes and checking them before we arrived. Some of the blanket had been make out of rough upholstery fabric. We were quite embarrased and set those aside. The nurses asked us what we were doing with that material. They wanted everything we had as some women who come to deliver don't have anything to wrap their babies in and they send them home wrapped in a plastic bag or the disposable pad they just delivered on! Three set of twins had been born that morning! We noticed that women were feeding their babies out of small cups --we were told that bottles and nipples are not available to the poorer mothers so they feed their newborns with these small cups. They try very hard to get these mothers to nurse their babies and try to teach them nutrition, but thy don't have the man power or funds to keep it going. This may be a project that they might want us to undertake.

Experiences like this make you realize how blessed we are to have had our children under better circumstances! Most of all our grandchildren had better circumstances too!

What I do in my free time!

2008-06-12T12:31:00.000-07:00

I love cooking, looking for new recipes, and trying them. Being here in Africa I have learned to go back to the basics as the baking items are not easily found. No Crisco, Karo syrup, Bisquick, Mexican foods, or cake mixes to name a few. I found these today and thought that they looked pretty yummy. The only problem is that I will have to wait til I get home to try the Almond Joy Cake, as I have not been able to find chocolate chips here.

...Almond Joy Cake...
It is rich, but really yummy. I would suggest a little whipped cream (fresh if you've got it!) or ice cream with it...
1 box chocolate cake mix
1 C. evaporated milk
1 C. sugar
24 large marshmallows
1- 14 oz bag sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 C. evaporated milk
1/4 C. butter
1- 12 oz bag milk chocolate chips
1 C. toasted almonds
Bake cake mix according to box directions & poke wholes with the end of a wooden spoon. In a large saucepan, combine 1 Cup evaporated milk & sugar. Bring to a boil and stir in marshmallows until melted. Add coconut & pour mixture over cake while both are hot.
Melt together remaining milk, butter & chocolate chips. Stir until melted. Add almonds. Spread on top of cake.

It's heating up in Arizona --It's winter in South Africa--I thought this would be agreat summer dinner!

Katie's Tortellini Salad

4-6 chicken breasts (cubed & soaked in Zesty Italian Dressing)
48 oz. Cheese Tortellini
1 cup Sun Dried Tomatoes, chopped
1 cup Sliced Olives
1 cup Artichoke Hearts, chopped
2 cups Baby Spinach
Mix all together in a large bowl & toss with your favorite Caesar Dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

If any of you try these recipes tell me what you think!

First Safari In South Africa

2008-06-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

This is what you call an Africian traffic jam! Last Sat. we went out to a wild animal preserve. The animals run free in the area and you drive around on dirt roads and try to find them! As we came around the bend we saw a pride of lions walking down the road, this one decided to just lay down right in the middle of the road and sun himself. As you can see no cars could pass and we just waited until he decided he wanted to move on. Where are the females when you need them! We spent most of the day driving around trying to find the animals. We saw lions, cheetahs, ( they were really hard to find as they blend in the the dried grasses) rhinos, zebras, wild dogs, and all sorts of elk/ antalope type annimals! The best part of the day was that I got to play with lion cubs and hubby got play with a two year old cheetah.

Road Trip

2008-05-29T12:58:00.000-07:00

Edenvale and Soweto
May 18, 2008
Well today was quite the adventure to say the least! We decided that the traffic is not busy on Sunday morning so it would be Denise’s first driving experience in Africa. Let me explain something about driving in Africa, they drive on the left side of road and your turn signal knob in on the right side of the steering wheel. The windshield wipers are on the left, the complete opposite of home. The traffic was pretty light this morning as we headed out. Now I am driving some kind of small Kia car that we don’t even have in the states. There are lots of things to remember -- I remembered to keep my body to the right of center stripe, trying to figuring out what lane to turn into, turning on the windshield wipers every time I wanted to turn, finding that two lanes suddenly merge into one, and that the same street name changes every 2 or 3 blocks. I guess that I tend to drive to close to the left side of the road— that what Ralph kept telling me, but I haven’t hit a curb yet.
First mistake was using someone else’s directions to get there. We arrived in the right town without any problems. I even got on the freeway—next problem is the speed limit is in Kilometers! The police have photo radar everywhere and they give ticket for being 3 miles over the speed limit. After we arrived in Edenvale, the directions were wrong and we spent the next 30 mins. trying to find the church. Now remember I am driving—have any of you seen the show a Amazing Race when the woman is driving and the guy is trying to hold his temper, she gets upset because he yelling at her , she starts to cry and wants him to drive, but no-- he wants to read the map —Well just imagine! I thought I could take criticisms well. But not in a strange place, being home sick and lost! Well we finally made it to church safe and sound 5 mins. late.
Church ends and it’s time to return home. After this morning’s episode I don’t want to drive home, but Ralph says it will be good for me! I get back on the main road we came in on and we are to return to Johannesburg. The signs say straight ahead, I follow it, Ralph’s navigating, now remember I got there on the freeway, as we start driving I go over the freeway into a town. The signs still say straight ahead. As we continue driving it become apparent that we shouldn’t be in this neighborhood. Little did we know we were driving right into an area of town where the major rioting is going on! Black people lining the streets 5 and 7 deep with signs, garbage, broken bottles, overturned cars, large cement pillars in the street. Police in riot gear and squad cars everywhere. Ralph says just keep driving! I wanted to stop and have him drive-or turn around and go back -- but that wasn’t safe either! He tells me to drive slowly so I don’t have to stop at any stoplights. This goes on for what seems like an eternity and Ralph says it looks like we’re headed to the down town area. We arrive in the downtown area and find a street we know. I forgot to mention we had a map which was useless as the streets we were on were not on it. As I head up the hill I see the spires of the temple and I now know where I am and how to get home. Ralph in his profound wisdom now asks if I would like him to drive. I declined because after that traumatic event I was going to make it home safely! I got us home safely to find someone had parked in my assigned space-- what an end to my day! Back in the apt. we find a different map and realize we were in Soweto one most dangerous slums in the most dangerous area of all of Africa. Thank heavens God looks after us daily. If any of you who are reading this know my mother please do not relay this story to her or my sister Janet as they are worried about our safety! We are getting the GPS tomorrow!

Off to Africa

2008-05-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

Well we're off to Africa! We have accepted a call to take care of the health and welfare of missionaries for The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for 18 months. We will be covering 20 countries. This is a new adventure for us. We will be leaving Tues. evening with a 6 hour layover in London and then on down to Johanesburg South Africa, arriving Thurs. morning.