Pool Party

 For our November activity in Relief Society, we decided to have a pool party. I knew in advance that I had a commitment at 4 pm, so I planned to do the set up, Comfort would organize the food, Baaba would be in charge of clean-up, and Erica would advertise the party. 

Three weeks in advance, I got permissions, told the security guards, asked Lawrence who does maintenance what I was needed i.e. chairs, tables, pool noodles -  to have a pool party for the Relief Society. I got assurances from different people that is was okay.

When I came out at a quarter to 2 pm, nothing was set up. When I called Lawrence there was no answer. When I asked the current security guard, he had no notifications of any pool party - but he did unlock the door where the noodles, rings, extra chairs, and lounge chair covers were. On Thursday, I had gotten a snippy passive agressive note from a missionary (that I have obviously offended) about the noise, and new directions from the Area Presidency's wife on what could and could not happen. I was feeling a little unsettled about this party.

I previously saw the tables down a stairwell on my way in and out the side door of our apartment, so I and another lady hauled the table over to the pool, she then went over and hauled the other table by herself. She is about 5 feet 4 inches and skinny! She put that table on her head and brought it right over - I sure wish I could give you a picture of that! Meanwhile, I was hauling chairs out of the store room and bringing the noodles and rings to the pool. As you can tell we didn't need maintenance to set up. 

It turned out to be a good party! The guests dribbled in slowly and the four children who came early were in the pool immediately. About an hour later we had a nice group of ladies chatting and laughing - but no music per the request of the AP's wife. Some of the ladies were posing and taking pictures, some chatting at poolside, and a few were in the pool enjoying the water. There was plenty of food, water and some drinks. Only one lady I could see was swimming the butterfly stroke. Everyone else floated around. 

Sure wish I got the picture three seconds earlier. This tiny 5 foot three or four inches woman, carrying a table longer than she is tall, on her head, then swinging it down to set up!

I left early and later Baaba said it was very difficult to get everyone out of the pool. They all had a really good time. When Jeffrey and I got back at about a quarter to six, the last three ladies were headed to the gate.  Baaba had asked to do some sewing on my machine for some guests from Utah who are coming to Accra - after the pool party was over. She hadn't even started and we got home before she came. I laughed at her description of everyone eating and then jumping back into the pool while she is trying to say the party is over. Good times.

She came bearing gifts

 I have a pattern for Thursdays. Wake up and organize the day, go to Sister Scripture Study, come back for 5 minutes and pack up reusable bags and cedis and go shopping with whichever sister I can get to go with me. This week it was Sister Penner. I wanted to go to a different MaxMart in Osu and she indicated she wanted to go to Fairway that was close by. 

Oh wow! Did we strike it rich! There were chocolate chips at Fairway! I haven't opened a package yet (fingers crossed) so I don't know if they are the melted and unmelted again variety - or the real thing. We'll see. Tropical places are tricky.

On my way home, I got a call from Comfort that she was at my gate. A little early as usually she comes in the afternoon and stays for our presidency meeting. I let her in as soon as I arrived. Dumevi and Eugene were going back to the market to get hard flour, Cook's Margarine, and gas for the car. So I went straight up to my apartment to wait for Comfort.

She came bearing gifts! She brought lots of bananas for the weekend pool party the Relief Society planned. She made some Cabbage Stew and while she was cooking, the egg delivery man came. It is so very nice to get fresh eggs every week.  Comfort went home cancelling the Relief Society meeting as she was very tired. I don't think she has been feeling a hundred percent for about a month now. She goes into the doctor and labs every week. I hope she will get better soon. 

I spent the rest of the day sewing.....life is good.

Comfort with Bananas and other delicious things

Beginning of an Experiment

 Today I put vodka in a jar along with vanilla beans that I got from Amazon while I was in Utah. The recipe is very simple, vodka (or alcohol) along with vanilla beans that are split and time. Easy. Here is the real recipe so you can do it right if you get the urge: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/homemade-vanilla-extract/.  Why not?

Let's see what happens!

It's Tuesday Again!!

 Tuesday seems to be the happening day! Good thing I straightened up the house, made my bed and got dressed early. 

Sister Tagou came at 9 am to make bread. I showed her how I make bread and we found out I was using a 'soft' flour. She said that hard flour was slightly red and made a stiffer bread than the soft rolls that I had. Wow! Who knew there were different kinds of flour made from different kinds of wheat. I thought wheat was wheat - nope!  I thought all purpose flour was what you could use for cookies, cake, bread, rolls etc.  Well.....bread is made from hard and pie is made from soft flour.  I am going to have to try out the hard flour on my bread. 

It sounds like you make banana bread from soft flour, so that is what they gave me when I said what I was using the flour for. 

I will use another post to show how meat pies are made. She took me on a step by step demonstration so I can make them again. It will be fun to give somebody something different from banana bread. Meat pies are sold all over Accra - so I know lots of people like them.

Asante came over after Sister Tagou left and helped me make some banana bread with the ripening bananas that Daniel (another security guard) brought over last week. We talked about the fact that he is a driver. So I may be able to use him as a driver -- besides Dumevi and Eugene. Possibilities......

Asante then helped me clean the kitchen and washed the dishes while I put them away. We even vacuumed the floor.

Then just after he left Comfort came over with lunches to freeze for Bobby. Then she stayed and made egg stew and rice for Jeffrey and I. Oh so delicious! The eggs are hardly seen at all and with the chicken and salmon it is one of the least tasted proteins in this stew. 

It has been a good day. I haven't seen Patricia yet, but maybe she will come tomorrow instead.

Sister Tagou

Finishing!

Asante

Comfort

Lunches to freeze for Bobby

Stew and rice - so yummy!

The banana bread is done and life is good. Asante will probably come and get the banana bread before he leaves the Area Compound for the day. This has been good for my extrovert soul who likes to be around people - though not always in the front of the crowd.

Kente Monday

 We took a trip again to see the man who is making kente cloth outside under the trees. This time I was with Rebecca Manwarring. 

Then we stopped by Rita's to get some more material for stockings and some for the temple bags that Sister Hales and I decided must be made. Story later. While we were at Rita's, Eugene when out an bought some flour as I was completely out. I need flour for Tuesday as Sister. Tagou will be coming to make bread and show me how to make meat pies. We went back to Bernice's bags so Sister Manwarring could pick something up. I got some avocados from her when she came out.

We also got some bofrot rolls. they are as crispy as a doughnut on the outside and soft bread on the inside.  Delicious! 

It has been a good day. It started out right. I got the laundry done, and finished up the cleaning from the party yesterday. Sister Kaku stopped by to see if I wanted to go swimming. We had a good time. Showered and dropped off banana bread for her guest that is coming.  Juliet came over and got some banana bread that she will deliver with her drinks. Caught up a little in the blog posts, and then went on an adventure with Sister Manwarring, Dumevi and Eugene. 

This afternoon I will be in a happy place figuring out my pattern for the temple bags. Fun!

Kente cloth weaver

Birthday Sunday

 Bobby and his delightful family came on Sunday. They were celebrating their youngest daughter's birthday. Grandma came too. She made cupcakes. And Bobby's wife made the birthday cake.

We had a rousing game of "Don't Eat Pete" - but I decided it was a game for slightly older kids. They didn't want to compete with each other and would tell which face "Pete" was. I need to think of something fun that very young children would like to do.

Jeffrey and Bobby were having a deep discussion on marriage and it would have been nice to have something better to entertain the children so they could keep talking.

It was fun to watch the children with a birthday cake and presents. Dad had to help her open some of them.  It looked like both girls loved their gifts and the party.  The hugs from Grandma were the best!

Emelia Ahadjie

 

Jeffrey and I met up again with Sister Ahadjie when we went to the MTC. She is an awesome person and had a wonderful history with the church. She and her husband were there when the white missionaries were escorted to airplanes to leave and the church doors were all bolted shut. It is a great story.

I found a link with the title of her podcast -- but I can't figure out how to open it up and listen to it. Here is the link -- maybe you can figure out how to open it. "Leading in West Africa with Faith, Courage, and Enthusiasm ".

Anyway, it is nice to run into her again and say hello. I do not know in what place she is working at the MTC, I just know she is there. It sure was good to see her.