Hello desk hoppers!
I hope everyone has had a lovely Easter
holiday. Here in Spain Easter Monday is a normal working day so everything has
gone back to normal after a hectic Holy Week. I managed to make time to make ‘pasta
mandorle’, a typical Easter treat from Abruzzo in Italy (where I used to live).
It has almonds, eggs and bitter chocolate in it. Yumm!
It’s Wednesday again and today I’m showing you the desk
(i.e. table) with all the action. This is at my friend Antonia’s house (the
lady on the right). My friends wanted to start scrapbooking and I had promised
to do a session with them. We did A4 format as that format is easiest to buy
things for in the local shops. I took a crate full of stash over to Antonia’s
and here we are having scrapping fun. On the left is Patricia from Mexico and
in the middle is Patricia from Peru. Antonia is Spanish and I am Dutch. Quite
the united nations!
While we waited for the other girls to arrive Antonia showed
me her cheese making equipment as she had made a lovely goat’s cheese the week before. The freshly made cheese gets put in the baskety round thing that then
gets tightened. A weight is put on top so that the liquid is being squeezed out
and runs along the little ‘channels’ into a bucket. Clever he?
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Where in England people drink tea and in US girls drink
coffee when they get together, here in Andalucia we drink ‘infusion’ or herbal
drinks. Sometimes we use ‘tea’ bags we buy in the shops but more often than not
they are dried herbs that have been picked locally. Some herbs are quite bitter
so I usually add a leaf of Stevia ( the dried leaves in the plastic bag).
They
are real sweet. I want to watch my weight but don’t like to take artificial
sweeteners. This is a really good solution. Many of my friends are from South America, and they are in the habit of drinking a caffeinated herbal drink called ‘mate’ (pronounced: ma-tay).
It is drunk from a
special beaker and a straw. Drinking through the straw prevents you getting ‘bits’
in your mouth.
The beaker gets passed around and everyone gets a turn. The same beaker
gets filled up with hot water after each person has had a drink. These photos I
got from Wikipedia as I forgot to photograph my friends’ beaker (which is a
shame because hers is much nicer).
I’m sorry if I haven’t visited so many desks last week. It
has been a hectic week. Will try to do better this week.
And if you are wondering what this desk hopping is all
about, visit Julia’s blog at http://www.stamping-ground.blogspot.com.es/
where it all will become clear.
Have a good week everyone,
Greetings from sunny Spain,
Lisca
38 comments:
i love visiting you i always learn some thing new :) thanks
Happy wwoyw
love Mrs C.x
http://craftroomdiary.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/woyww-april-7th-2015.html
How wonderful to get together with friends and show them how to scrap! I am sure they will now spend many happy hours doing so! Thanks for sharing your traditions, I am a cup of tea girl myself.
Have a happy week
Lynda B 14
How lovely to link up with friends from all over the world like that. I love to see all the different traditions.....I'm English born and bred but am unable to drink tea [it makes me actually sick] so I'm a coffee drinker but I also like herbal teas [but have never made my own]. Thanks for sharing.
Have a great week,
Hugs,
Annie x #17
Hi Lisca...oh what a lovely a blog post for WOYWW. So interesting having friends from different countries sharing your crafts and learning traditions...who would think tea was such a grand event...just old store bought tea and coffee bags for me but yours sounds so interesting...I see they have started to make a Coke Cola with the Stevia not that I drink it. Have a wonderful week Cheers RobynO#25
That Abruzzo looks absolutely yummy. I have seen that tea drinking cup on tv and its a lovely way to drink. I was looking forward to seeing your postcards from postcrossing but I guess I'll just have to wait LOL. I am having lots of fun with it and with people wanting to swap with me..strange people usually avoid newbies. Maybe Australia is a rare country to them
Bridget #1
Interesting tea talk but I don't think I will be partaking when I am over there in a week's time - I have my tea bags packed (herbal ones too).
When you are all together - Peruvian, Spanish, Dutch what language do you use? I imagine you using Spanish but just wondered.
Love the sounds of your pasta mandorle, ooh, bitter chocolate.
Thanks for the sharing
Hugs, Neet 20 xx
What a fun and interesting post Lisca! Really interesting to find out about how other people do things and I love your UN scrapping club :o) My everyday drink is strong black unsweetened coffee, but I love that green tea they give you in Japanese restaurants, just can't seem to make it like that at home. Happy WOYWW Annie C #30
Fascinating. I love being a European, it's home to so many! And I love tha tyou've moved around and brought the tastes that you like with you - that pasta mandorle looks lovely, and to be able to use real Stevia...bliss!
I always feel like I've learned something when I come by your blog....really interesting mix of cultures going on with your scrappy friends meeting! Hope they enjoyed it and it becomes a regular occurrence!!!
I just realised your confusion. Abruzzo is a region in middle Italy where I used to live. (I now know you have a map on your desk so you can look it up). The cake is called: pasta mandorle. And yes, it is very yummy.
Yes, we speak Spanish. The girl on the left is Mexican but has lived in Seattle for many years and speaks very good English but the others don't speak it well enough for conversation.
That chocolate loaf looks delicious! Looks like lots of fun scrapping A4 is easiest to find here too.
Kristiina #6
Always enjoy visiting your desk, Lisca. I learn something every time. :) It looks like you and your friends had a great time. I've heard of stevia, but I really don't know much about it. Now I will google it to learn about it and find out if I can grow it here in my herb garden. Oh, I can't wait to get started on that! We still have snow, but it has finally begun to melt and the temps are rising at long last. Have a great week! Nann4 #37
How interesting - the mate spoon is very pretty and would be a pleasure to use in any drink! Scrap-booking with friends sounds like a fun way of working - what a nice thing to do, especially if you have an almond and chocolate loaf on hand! I hope you have a great week,
Diana #21
What a beautiful post today - you and your lovely friends have so much amazing creativity and skills! Happy WOYWW! Sandy Leigh #40
I love that mate straw, it's very interesting and I've never seen anything like it!
Thank you for the blog visit and comments earlier. :-)
Happy creating and happy woyww,
Sandy #31
Hello Lisca :) I've really enjoyed reading your inspiring blog post, thank you for sharing your discoveries and creations :) Looks like you and your friends have great fun at your crafting sessions! Your 'pasta mandorle' looks so yummy-enjoy!
Thank you for visiting my blog today :)
Angela
Angelgreetings #28
I love reading about the customs and such! The herb drinks look so interesting and the straw, how unusual! And your Easter treat sounds wonderful! Looks like you had a great time with your friends! Thanks for stopping by! Happy WOYWW!
Carol N #44
Hi, Lisca, what a fun and interesting post. I enjoy hearing about the traditions from other place and people. Your pasta mandorle looks and sounds delicious. I hope your scrapbooking circle takes off. Thanks for your visit! ~ Laura #55
Hi lisca, very interesting to hear about the tea ceremony, we gave the lads at our local cafe some hot cross buns, they insisted we try the spanish equivalent , a bit like sliced spanish bread pudding And the other was pastry with far too much sugar, enjoyed trying them though. Jan s. No 39
I always learn something new from you. I did know mate was drunk through a straw, but never saw it in total. What a clever tool! And your pasta mandorle looks so yummmmmmmmmy!!
Thanks for your earlier visit!
Hugs
Gabriele 27
The pasta maddorle looks very tasty indeed! A great combination of lovely flavours..I bet it was gorgeous.
I loved the pic of the International Crafters...just goes to show, women just love making things, it doesn't matter one jot where you come from :-). Hope you had a fab time!
Hugs, LLJ 15 xx
Lisca, The Pasta Mandorle sounds scrummy.
Always nice to craft with friends.
The cheese maker is ingenious.
I am not keen on herbal drinks, but I use Stevia for sweetening my coffee and tea.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy WOYWW
Sue #26
you look like you were having fun, and the food sounds yummy! Thanks for visiting. Helen #4
OH, you visited me, thank you! What an interesting item about the tea. I am is U.S. and I am a tea drinker, but not herbal! I drink the strong tea, like Earl Grey or Chai. Uhm, good. Love that your international group is getting together to scrap! As you know I love to scrap. I am so glad you updated me on your Walk4Fun walks. So glad you are doing it. I am at the 840 mile mark on my 2600 mile Pacific Crest Trail, virtually! LOL
Lovely getting caught up with you. #22
Look at you ladies having a good time! Now then you'll get the hooked on scrapbooking and then you will have an excuse to get together all time I enjoyed reading about your drinks-very informative. Thanks for the visit earlier! Judy #56
Like the look and sound of the loaf. It's interesting about the Stevia, they have started selling this in powdered form in the UK, quite like it. You all look as though you had a good time. Sure I saw somewhere that you are coming to the UK in May, hope you have a lovely time. Thanks for the visit and happy woyww, Angela x 24
Oh that loaf looks so yummy and I planted some stevia last year those leafs are super sweet just perfect to add into teas. I love your beaker stick it's just stunning and how that would save me on steeping the tea just drink through the straw and add hot water
perfect :)
Happy WOYWW hugs Nikki 7
I love your multicultural group of friends, which sounds like a fun and creative bunch. I'm just wondering, what language do you all have in common? I've had Materva soda pop at Caribbean restaurants, but have never had the herb in tea form. Thanks for your earlier visit. Blessings!
Hi Lisca, thanks for the visit earlier and your sweet comments. This is a fabulous WOYWW post. So much to take in, love your UN group of friends. My group of friends in the US are a mini UN :) Love the tea explanation - my Dad would love this, he is addicted to all sorts of herbal teas :) Cx #48
This is a gather of the nations and what fun you all seemed to have but sharing tea I like my own cup and I am a bit of a germaphobe so sharing for me not a good option. I don't even eat of others plates. sorry to be a party pooper. I did like the bread it looked yummie Thanks for sharing.
Happy WOYWW
Hugs Eliza & Yoda 5
Looks like a fun time getting together with your friends. Two named Patricia? I think I would stick to my coffee though your bread looks delicious. Have a wonderful week. Rasz #59
Hullo there Lisca,
A great creative space today! I love the fact your community is so sharing, well done on the scrapping..
..... and the tea sounds fascinating but must admit think would like my own cup.. :D
Thanks so much for popping over :D and for sharing ~ happy belated WOYWW!
Shaz in Oz.x #42
PS joined your blog too :D
{Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards blog}
oh WOW that is so cool to see and read about ( everything ) :) the cheese strainer tool looks so interesting. Nah, on the vodka sentiment but, it is going to be framed with an etch a sketch frame lol. Thanks for the earlier visit! ~Stacy 49
Lisca, so much lovely information today regarding "a hot beverage". My husband and I spent a month in South America a couple of years ago and have the equipment to drink mate the proper way. I always found it too strong for my liking. So I am sitting here in the US sipping my morning coffee while I stroll through the brilliance that is WOYWW. Thanks for your earlier visit.
Happy WOYWW, thanks for sharing
Pat #54
Now that is really interesting information about how they drink hot drinks. It looks like crafting is an international activity. Thanks for visiting earlier.
sandra de @32
Thanks Shaz for joining my blog.
It must be so interesting to live in Europe with so many different ways of doing things! I really enjoyed reading about the herbal drink and the cheese maker. You asked about the material on my desk. It is a traditional T'boli embroidered blouse similar to this one
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