Back in Madrid again!

Sep 9, 2008 by pearsonsprogress    1 Comment     Posted under: Blogroll, Grocery Challenge, Spain

We arrived back to Madrid to a whirlwind of activities and news. One of the ladies in our church had 2 of her sisters die in one week. Then the news of Evelyn who died from ovarian cancer at the age of 33. Apparently she didn’t know she had it and when she finally went to the hospital, she lasted just a short while. She and Rufus had just adopted a little boy, also from Nigeria this past year. We went to the funeral and the sealing of the tomb on Saturday. Our church has been going through some real losses these past couple of weeks.

As I mentioned in our prayerletter, we had friends over for meals both Friday and Sunday. We are also having a pizza night with 2 other families in the church this weekend.

The ‘ol grocery budget took a “hit” this week and I spent around 85€. I did get quite a bit of chicken for 30% off and depending upon how many guests we have for meals, will determine what I spend the next couple of weeks.  The pizza cheese accounts for 20€ of what was spent.   My goal still remains: reduce, reduce, reduce! We have gone to at least 2 “meatless” meals a week which seems so effortless to us because we really like beans.

I’ve planted my “winter garden” in our 10′ x 22′ piece of dirt in the yard. Daughters Rebekah and Bobbie sent me some great seeds, and they are in the ground. I brushed the dust off of the water timer and will install that in the next few days. I’m using up every last bit of fertilizer, potting soil and seeds that I have around the house, including seeds from the year 2000 and hoping for the best. My Mom, said that she sent me some seeds also and I am especially looking forward to the cilantro seeds. I bought 1 bunch of cilantro last week for 2,35€! Now that is just not right! I would have skipped it except we had guests for Mexican food and what would Mexican food be without cilantro??!! Anyway, I am looking at what I need, planting what I can, and praying for the Lord to bless, supply, and give me creativity. It’s very exciting for me to see how He answers my prayers.

Because I have been sharing about this area in our lives, I have heard from many friends and family who also are experiencing God’s blessings and watching HIM work! Can we ever get tired of hearing about His work in and for us?

Blessings last week:

1. A box of treats from kids, Jesseka and Greg.This was very fun for us!
2. A package from kids Rebekah and Dave. Amazing!
3. A letter with seeds from kids, Bobbie and Ron. They are in the ground!
4. A package with sauce mixes from sister Sue!
5. Several letters with encouraging news… especially from kids, John and Cheri!
6. A jar of Kiwi jam… get this: I made fig jam and gave a jar to my friend Ana at church, and she, brought ME a jar of Kiwi jam! What fun!
7. I prayed for some marked-down meat (30%) at the market and I was able to get several packages of chicken wings, legs, thighs and 1 whole chicken. I wanted the breasts but they were not on special so I passed.
8. 4 kilos of tomatoes before we left the village.

Here are some photos of my freshly planted garden. Click on the photo to enlarge. It’s very exciting for me. The tree is a pomegranate  with fruit on it.

What I have planted:

1. lettuce- at .79 cents a head (cheapest price) I should save a bundle
2. potatoes
3. winter onions
4. spinach
5. Fava beans (haba here)
6. chard
7. beets
8. carrots
9. radishes
10. brussel sprouts
11. broccoli
12. cauliflower
13. peas
14. garlic

On another note, John and I also set the alarm to get  up last week at 4am (we go to bed at about 12-1am) to listen to Govenor Sarah Palin speak at the Republican National Convention (via FOX NEWS). We are very impressed with her and she seems to be a no-nonsense kinda gal. We will be voting absentee-ballot this November. Did any of you hear it? Your thoughts?