In my nice lazy day… Cooking is awesome!

My brother and Dani, his wife, came to visit us last weekend, and it was great.
one of our favourite things to do together was eating, and that’s how we started their Saturday morning… David and I made waffles, with fresh strawberries and a blueberry sauce (made from the blueberries we picked in the summer, now frozen). I also made fresh  apple/ginger/orange juice, with my not-as-new juicer! But the real success was achieved when Donna’s creamcheese sauce was added to this delicious meal… I made coffee in the french press, but it was too strong…
Then, I proposed that we drove around the Lake Monroe. I had never done that before, and I wanted them t see that in less than 3 minutes we were surrounded by nature (corn fields, and then the lake a little later). It was fun, and they seemed to like the little trip. My brother was driving his rented SUV, and Dani was stopping to take pictures of everything… Let’s say, mostly she was amazed by the animals! She called a big bull “bonitao” = very cute
We parked the car near the lake in Hardin Ridge, and we saw from very close that the lake was frozen, although the temperature wasnt very low, and by the way, no snow at all. The snow was all melted, and this disappointed Dani a little bit, but at least we could play throwing rocks and ice on the lake. It was really fun!
Then we stopped in a overlook, where I thought “hum… such a pretty place, I could throw a birthday party our here in my birthday! Well, I guess few of you thought about what I am about to say: my whole life my borthday was usually in the coldest week of the year, back in Sao Paulo. Now, it’s so warm that I can go swimming on the lake Lemon, for instance. If you havne’t done this, you should. It’s pretty damn good!!
Then, it arrived again the moment where we would decide where to take them to eat… We chose Trojan Horse. All the food was great, they seemed to enjoy the lunch, but it was REALLY staisfying for me to see my brothers face and his hummmms when he tried the baklava ice cream. I didn’t think he would like that much, but it was one of his favorite things here. It became already a tradition! Then we walked downtown, little stores, cute stuff, and BANG! I found the “mandala” – a hand crafted wire thing that changes its form, and that I was trying to find one here, since I lost mine somehow in Brasil. It was very popular in the 80s.Made in India.

After this very special surprise, we walked around campus, visited my office, and it was very relaxing. The temperature was around 8celcius (not cold at all! specially compared to today… my hands without gloves were freezing outside!)
Then David went to a talk, and we 3 came back home and chatted in fast Portuguese.
When David arrived back (all excited with the talk!Hopefully he will post something about it in his blog…) we made popcorn and watched Moulin Rouge. Wait! I don’t actually remember popcorn… I guess we were waiting to feel hungry to make fondue!
The movie was great, and Dani, even not understanding very well the English (reading the subtitles) loved it. We picked this movie for her (the only one among us who hadn’t seen the movie)

David made fondue in our new electric fondue pot, and I have to confess that it amezed me how MUCH better and easier it was compared with the fired one. We drank the Italian wine that D and I bought near Florence in our summer trip, and after much delight, we played Niagara. My borhter was actually sleeping on the sofa at this point with his book opened in his belly. Poor little thing! I guess he’s been so tired, that stayng 1 week away from his little kids opened a new whole world of relaxation!! I don’t blame him! iI was happy to see him relaxing and feling so well the next morning.
On Sunday Ki and I did our traditional shopping. We went to get bagels & cream cheese (this time driving, but in a higher temp we bike there)…. He loves the salmon flavoured cream cheese. I also like it, but not in the morning! We were all surprised:  ”peixe de manha??”. I made mor fresh juice, this time, tangerine… (mistaken by orange, but ti was pretty good anyway)
Then we played some games we 4: Hey that’s my fish (not the computer version… yet…), and robo rally, which was a lot of fun, and my bro ALMOST won. Dani and I were having serious problems and kept killing ourselves or pushing each other in the abism!

Then, it was my time to go to the Welcome Table rehearsal, while they went to a bar watch the Colts game. Tehy won!! This means that there will be lots of parties around. Specially for football fans. I might try some, but I confess I am not a big sports person!…

Kiko and Dani came to watch a little bit of the rehearsal, and pick me up to go back to the bar. David was so cute and happy and excited when I arrived!!! For this reason, I am can say: “Go COLT!!!” I am rooting for them because it makes my dear husband happy. (it’s similar to when I was a kid and realized that when Sao Paulo soccer team won my brother stayed with good humor, but when it lost – ai ai ai… I had to disapear!)
When we arrived in Opie Taylors the game had just finished, and I was starving! After some backs and forths, we ended up in Upland, and I have to confess that I craved a cheeseburger…. This one made me feel not guilty because it was made of meat from a local organic farm. I like being eco-friendly to the enviroment and to my own body!
Then we came back  home, and while I was doing the dishes somebody was playing the piano! Only then we realized Dani knows how to play music! (Se used to play organ when little). So, David and I also played, piano and Harpsichord, and we had all a lot f fun – we did from Bach to Balao Magico! It was a lot of noise and I coudln’t believe when I saw that my brother was asleep in the sofa. (wow…. having kids must be really exhausting! I’m glad he could enjoy the vacation. I am in favor of going to bed when tired.)
On Monday, David and I went to work, they had their breakfast, and we met at around noon to have farewell lunch in Uptown.

The surprise gift to Dani and Ki was the snow! It was their first time to see the snow falling. It was much colder, and I guess they has a bad weather with lots of snow driving to the airport…, But I know they got safe and sound in Florida, so they must be warm now. Different form me. I’m freaking cold now, downstairs, at my office, with my fingers getting harder , so I’ll stop writing…

Anyway… It was all super legal! I am so happy that they liked all our activities and the time spent together.

Ki e Dani, amo voces dois! Obrigada pela maravilhosa visita!!
Ki and Dani, I love you both! Thanks for the sweet precious visit!

Photos are here:

2010-01-KikoDani

Yesterday in Cleveland, at David’s parents house, was the first snow of the season. In the morning through the bathroom window i saw some flurries which prepared my spirit to the whiteness to come later. I went jogging with George (who admirably jogs 1.5miles everyday regardless the weather) and they were already gone. It was refreshing and lifted my spirit and moved my tingling body towards vigorous freedom. Driving to the airport I saw the snow had taken over everywhere. My goodbye kiss was under the delicate snow that got caught in Davids beautiful curly hair.
In the plane it was almost like in a sci-fi movie…. I was in an airplane-wash: first removing the layer of snow from it’s wings and then using jets of what seemed to me to be soap and then a green liquid all over. at this point the snow was not falling anymore.
Arriving in the parking lot in Indianapolis airport I walked through the roughly one inch of snow with my not-for-snow leather boots and sicks and followed the detailed instructions of how to find Erics car- a white car hidden under an inch of white snow. the fun of the adventure was mixed with the apprehension of not finding it immediately, with my feet freezing and my gloveless hand trying to reach the cellphone to call him. Not being in the correct row and not being able to acess his very nice YouTube video of how to find the car made me feel even colder…
after his help I found his car and although 3 doors were frozen-locked with the cold, the drivers one opened, together with my huge smile of relief to be inside the car rubbing my hands… After some instructions and laughs, I got courage to go scrape the car. I learned immediately the real importance of wearing gloves, so I had to do half of the car and run inside to revive my red hard hands and my feet inside the covered-in-snow boots. after some more instructions (the windshield was also frozen and it worried me) I finished clearing the snow off the car (using the driving gloves i got from Donna last Xmas) and was ready to leave. There was no more snow coming from the sky, and the roads were clear. very few cars. wrong direction for 5minutes due to a sign that was covered by snow( I could read “67..th” and I mistakenly assumed it was south…). David helped me out and I felt safe again moving now towards home.
slow drive – arrived home at around 1:00am.
When I woke up I was in a land with snow on the ground where people used some kind of powder which prevented feet to get cold. In the dream I was barefoot walking by a frozen river. Imagine that!
(I fell now more prepared to face the real winter by myself. at least fir 3 days…)
off to work…

Well here you have some pictures, for those who asked!

2009-12-projects

Tenho novidades!!
Vou cantar num show chamado : “Welcome Table” ,em Fevereiro!
Estou animadíssima! Vou cantar com feras como Moira Smiley, Malcolm Dalglish e Joshua Kartes, além de outras pessoas talentosas que ainda não conheço.

É um show profissional, e estou muito feliz que eles me convidaram.
Participei de um Masterclass com Moira no mês passado e Malcolm ficou interessado em conhecer melhor meu trabalho. Criei rapidinho uma página na internet com alguns exemplos de solos, duos e trios, e a principio, e achei que ele não tinha se entusiasmado. Contactei-o de novo e disse que talvez fosse melhor se ele me ouvisse ao vivo, comigo cantando com uma voz mais popular, já que pensei que os exemplos eram muito clássicos. Ele disse que já tinham encontrado uma contralto. Eu agradeci, e disse que ele me contactasse caso precisasse de mim. Isso foi semana passada.

Ontem ele me escreveu dizendo que pensou bem, e que minha voz iria funcionar muito bem no grupo. Me convidou no mesmo dia pra ir ao primeiro ensaio, e eu fui! Com a cara e a coragem… nervosa, com dor de barriga e tudo… Foi ótimo. Joshua ensaious as peças dele – noss, como ele é talentoso!!! Vai ser um super show.

Estou contente. Estou agora com três grupos vocais:

- Um madrigal com amigos. Um grupo muito legal – cantamos de tudo – de arranjos de Beatles, música contemporânea, renascença, música brasileira (em breve). bem informal – ah, e vamos cantar músicas de Natal!!
- O trio de sopranos com a Mary e Thea. Música antiga: Strozzi, Luzzaschi, Monteverdi e Rossi. Estamos começando a soar bem agora. Mas ainda não temos quem toque com a gente….
- E o novo Welcome Table show.

Quando chove, é tempestade!!
Ainda bem que esta tempestade me inunda de alegria e satisfação. Eu amo cantar!!
Beijos a todos!

Pri (cantora e designer!)

Here are the photos of our trip:

Contradance was very fun – caller and musicians were awesome!

Getting to know better Rachel and Edward was also super nice. We had all together a great brunch on Sunday, and games at night. David and I then got the tube and had a touristic day downtown. I loved the architecture – it reminded me the miscellany of styles in Barcelona ( it is still VERY different from Barcelona)

The “bean” in Millenium park was surprisingly beautiful, and I also likes the faces sculptures.

My Brazilian passport is being delivered this week soon, and we enjoyed a lot the Architecture Foundation River Cruise. It tickled my inner architect!

2009-10Fall and flowers

I couln’t believe this flower… I again need help of my nature knowledgeable  friends to learn its name.

And when you see the photos… Check out the “Lipstick” Bushes. Aren’t them fun? This fall is very colorful again, and it makes me VERY happy.

Another thing that makes me happy is when I feel art coming out so intensely. Check out the group VOCO. They moved me. For the third time. Live. Second row.
The thing I enjoy most is feeling the pleasure they have making music  live. When I grow up I want to be like them…

2009-09

Thanks, Donna for the beautiful pieces!

Vou editar algumas fotos que estão muito boas e mandar novo link… Mas só quando eu tiver tempo!
beijos
Pri

2009-08 Sao Paulo

David tem o maravilhoso hábito de doar sangue, e foi uma grande oportunidade para eu começar a fazer o mesmo, pois penso que é uma grande ajuda para outras pessoas com necessidade. Ambos somos O + e isso o torna um motivo ainda maior para doar. (doador universal)

Fui lá com David 3 vezes, mas nesta penúltima vez, eu não pude doar por causa do meu baixo nível de ferro no meu sangue. Desde então, tomei comprimidos de ferro, mas na verdade não tão regularmente. Após 3 semanas (ontem) voltei confiante que eu seria capaz de doar desta vez. O nível (12g/ml) etsava um pouco baixo do nível aceitável (pra mim: 12,5). Ele perguntou se eu queria testá-lo novamente, já que algumas vezes a máquina não é tão exata, e lá vamos nós: ainda menor da segunda vez! (11)

Não estou realmente preocupada, mas parece que vou ter de aumentar o meu consumo de ferro com mais comprimidos (Silvana disse-me para tomar o comprimido com suco de laranja 30 minutos antes da refeição), e vou fazer o esforço de comer mais espinafres Que difícil!!!

Para aqueles que estão pensando que eu deveria voltar a comer carne, eu encontrei um artigo que demonstra que os vegetarianos, ou flexitarians (como eu!) Não têm mais deficiência de ferro ou anemia que não-vegetarianos. D & I também pesquisamos um pouco sobre nutrição para vegetarianos, mas já sabíamos o que estava lá.

Quando for a hora de David para doar novamente, eu vou com ele e ver se o meu plano funcionou!

(tradução/translation: Google Translator + some adjustments

______________________

David has the wonderful habit of donating blood since a long time ago, and it was a great opportunity for me to start doing the same, since I believe it’s a great help to others with need. We both are O+ and this makes it an even higher reason to donate.

I’ve been there with David 3 or 4 times, but this penultimate time I couldn’t donate because of my low level of iron in my blood. Since then, I took iron tablets, but not really regularly. After 3 weeks (yesterday) I came back confident I would be able to donate this time. The level (12g/ml) was just a little bit under the accepted level (according to the person 12.5). He asked if I wanted to test it again, since the machine sometimes is not so exact, and there we go: even lower the second time! (11)

I’m not really concerned, but it seems that I’ll have to increase my intake of iron with more tablets (Silvana told me to take the tablet with orange juice 30 minutes before meal), and I’ll make the effort to eat more spinach

For those who are thinking that I should re-start eating meat, I found an article that proves that vegetarians, or flexitarians (like me!) have no more iron deficiency or anemia than non-vegetarians. D & I also researched a little bit about nutrition for vegetarians, but we found what we already knew…

When it’s time for David to donate again, I’ll go with him and see if my plan worked!

I didn’t find it that easy to find the normal levels of iron in blood, and compare to my results. The different units of mesurement didn’t help.

(translation to portuguese: Google Translator + some adjustments – I liked it, it saved me a lot of time!)