Tag Archives: Duckie Bag

Gnome In A Strop!

December 21, 2015 Munchkin

Oh what a day…phew I am glad that I survived it! We had a whole load of Christmas deliveries to send out today and guess what? The truck wouldn’t start!

This is when the Italian Gnome came out with lots of gesticulations towards the sky, gesticulations towards anything really…even the goosie got caught in the cross-fire. Goosie sort of looked at the ranting Gnome and edged away into the coconuts (now, that is something for a very aggressive goose who thinks that he is boss of the farm).

There was a lot of muttering about the “starter” and “connections” and then I slowly edged away too. It was all rather emotional, hairy with some heavy breathing. Not something a Munchkin can cope with so off I scurried into the house to look busy!!

Munchkin.Another.Funny.Shot

It was really “touch and go” for the while! Eventually the car did start and I didn’t ask any questions. We just loaded the packages into the truck quick smart so that we could get a move on.

Poor Gnome…what a strop he got into…the emotions of an Italian can sometimes get so hot and overbearing (a bit like the dry season in the Tropics). Anyway, I finally got Gnome into a better mood with a coffee by the sea:

Thank Goodness for the Duckie Bag!! Phew…saved by the Duckie Bag…all problems solved with a hot drink and plenty of love and encouragement by the sea!

Amusing, Belize, Food

Monster Christmas Chaos Cake.

December 14, 2015 Munchkin

Munchkin.More.Another.Funny.Shot

Oooooh!!! Munchkin was let loose in the kitchen to make a Christmas Cake! If you follow the Blog, you will know that there have been many baking disasters in the past…especially around the Festive Season when she has good intentions in baking but they never turn out! This “Christmas Stollen” was fortunately rescued and morphed into a Monster Christmas Chaos Cake!

Trying to work yeasted dough for baking in a 35C (95F) kitchen is bound to end in disaster. The sticky dough expands within seconds, doubles in bulk within minutes and if you don’t get it into the oven quick smart…it is bound to explode all over the place. Not a pretty sight to see a red-faced, hot Munchkin anxiously trying to mix dough quickly before it all splatters on the walls! Arrrgh!!!

Anyway, the Stollen was rescued and become a gorgeous Christmas Cake decorated with dried sapodilla from the farm:

Enjoyed indulgently with vanilla glaze drizzle. Mmmmm…what a save!!

Christmas Chaos Cake with Vanilla Glaze.

Also something festive for the Duckie Bag!!

Amusing, Belize, Philosophy

Coffee In Punta Gorda!

December 8, 2015 Munchkin

Together.Horses

Yes, it was a town day with the usual madness of rushing about, delivering stuff, paying bills in between seeing patients and hailing passerbys. After all that, we sat by the sea with our Duckie Bag sipping coffee together.

Who needs a coffee shop when you can sit out here?

Always remember to take time to relax!!

Amusing, Belize, Food, Saving Money

Good Buys In Belize.

December 4, 2015 Munchkin

Together.Eating

Occasionally, we stumble across some good stuff to buy in Belize. Usually we don’t so that is why we make/grow and cook most of our food on the farm. Here are a few things:

Can you believe it…you can actually get some Italian Christmas Food at Save-U in Belize. Panettone is a treat because I haven’t summoned up enough courage to bake one of these yet…I keep on making the excuse that I don’t have a proper cake tin! Oh, and Torrone is Italian nougat which is typically eaten during the festive season. Gnome keeps on hinting that I should try making some…this one might be a project at some point. We both like the hard nougat as opposed to the soft type.

This is 20lbs of Basmati rice from Brodies. Normally, this rice is sold in tiny ridiculous amounts of about 200g (1/2lb) for stupid prices. This bag will last us a whole year.

This one is a surprise…Guatemalan pasta (linguini) has got the thumbs up from the Italian Gnome (he is Italian when it suits him). He says not to waste money on US imported brands because they usually contain more than just flour, water and salt and do not have the al dente texture. This stuff is really cheap and sold at every Chinese Superstore in Belize. One packet of 200g (1/2lb) costs BZ$1 and if you have a hoarding instinct (like Munchkins) you can buy a case of 24 for BZ$18. What a bargain.

Last but not least…something for the Duckie Bag. Vanilla and hazelnut coffee sachets for impromptu coffee stops by the side of the road with our trusty thermos flask.

Belize, Food, Plants

Moon Cakes For Our Treasure Chest!!

November 27, 2015 Munchkin

Together.Eating

We have made Moon Cakes, off season!! Well, as far as we are concerned, Moon Cakes should be happily enjoyed all year round!!

This time we used a yam paste which consists of lotus seed and the vegetable taro.

This is fresh taro…maybe we can make our own paste sometime.

We have stashed them in our Moon Cake Treasure Chest…

And, of course, a couple for the Duckie Bag. The Duckie Bag is our manual coffee/tea making facility (ie. thermos flask and teabags, coffee,sugar and milk) that we take with us everytime we go out.

Yum!!

Amusing, Belize, Food, Saving Money

What's In The Duckie Bag?

November 11, 2015 Munchkin

Together.from.Front

Whenever we leave the farm, I always carry our trusty Duckie Bag with us. It has a silver Mallard Symbol and has an upside down (?) duckie pattern.

This is our travel food bag and I never leave home without it. We never like to “feel caught out” in town (or on the highway traveling) having to procure water or a hot drink. On a minimal shopping day out in Punta Gorda, I will bring two litres of water, 1 litre flask of hot water, coffee and tea. Oh, and of course, a packet of Digestive biscuits! So, whenever we feel like a break, we will pull over in the truck and make a nice hot drink together and dip our biscuits in the hot beverage. Awwwhhh…so romantic!! I have even bought special drinking cups for the occasion! His and Hers; Munchkin and Gnome Paraphernalia.

Right now, we have been bringing our special Teh Tarik tea from Singapore to have “on-the-go.”

It’s all in the name having fun, doing something different and saving money. What a Triple Combo!!

Casa Mascia Apothecary