Pole Padal Paddle - Bend Oregon !

Well...it is THAT time of the year again Bend & Redmond, Lapine residents!  Nick sent his art work, via internet, for the upcoming May 2014 event.  This is what he has created...cute huh?

Between December 23rd - January 6th you can go to the downtown US Bank on the corner of Bond & Oregon Ave in Bend and vote on the artwork of your choice!  (hint hint!)

If you happen to be down that way...do go in and see it!

A little input from Ellen....the DOG...behind the steering wheel!

Christmas Eve at Elsiha & Beppie's Place ~

 On Christmas Eve we were invited to Elisha & Beppie

(here is a really nice picture of them!)

home/restaurant for a wonderful evening of Song & Dinner and wonderful fellowship!  We were with their staff, and Singaporean friends and we so enjoyed our evening with them. 

 They had printed some songs and so we sang together "Joy the the World" and many old favorites!

 Elisha being a wonderful Chef had a long table out with delicious food!  COME AND GET IT!!!!

 Beef Stew, a very nice chicken flavored rice, vegetables, chicken, and also BBQ fish ~

 

 Nick chatted with Elisha & Beppie and their son Ruben...he will graduate next year at the International School here in Salatiga and then go to Holland to study in Leiden at the English University there.  His two sisters are already there in Leiden - very close to Milou's shop G-Star! 

Elselynn & Stefanie their daughters have already dropped by at Milou's shop to say Hello!

 Here we sit in a big circle enjoying one another's company and enjoying a really good meal too!  We are sitting outside...on the patio.

 Andreaz is having a good laugh with Anita, and Agnes & Agustine are sharing the joke..."so come on you guys...tell us what is so funny????"

 Love this picture! 

Yes we had a great evening - and it was a nice & cool evening...and then we headed home on the motorbike...Wow what a special Day...working together this morning doing the outreach and then having a wonderful Christmas evening too!
Thank you Elisha and Beppie for your hospitality and warmth and friendship!

On Christmas Day - we got a knock on the door - it was a man called "Muh" and he came to deliver some goodies from our friends Paulus, Indah and family!  Gosh how kind is that!  It was a homemade pudding, and chocolate "Tango" cookies and a bottle of Sambal! (hot sauce) Indah knows how I love the hot stuff  and so she included that in the delivery!  "Oh Indah you are a funny girl!" And you and Paulus spoiled us very much on Christmas Day...THANK YOU...Terima Kasih!!!!!  And thank you for thinking of us! How very very thoughtful of you!!!

 Then that evening we received a text message from Aan (pronounced "ah....on") He called to see if we were home.  "OK Aan yes do come...we are home this evening!"

Aan is a teacher at the Bethany Christian Indonesian School here in town...and on the very first day we came to the International Church Sunday service - Aan, Jessica, Jeffery and Albert (all in their early twenties -mind you) invited us to go to lunch with them after the church service...and ever since then - we have had a great relationship with them!  (we think we might be their Oma & Opa kind of...ha!) They sometimes call us that and oh well...we enjoy so' much their love and friendship!!!!  

So I opened up the present......

and Aan had gotten us both material - an Indonesian..print...to make a shirt/blouse so we could wear it at special events - oh how sweet it that!!!!! "So pretty..Aan - thank you so much!"  We are becoming more and more Indo-Indonesian all the time around here...ha!  Again - what a kind & thoughtful thing to do!  

We sat and chatted and had a really nice evening...and then at 10 - he left because the next day Aan & Albert (the Dutchie) were going to take a train(5 hr train ride) ride and then another 5 hour bus ride to the beach - oh boy...up to western Java to a beach where many people would be gathering to welcome in the New Year - He told us that many people sleep on the beach waiting for sunrise and the New Year to arrive...and that this gathering each year continues to grow and grow and bring together more and more people!  He said that there is a Facebook Group about this event and a lot of people are connected to it - for this particular event!  

Well it sounds fun - but "Oma" and "Opa"  wish them a wonderful couple of days but nah....we are staying home...ha!  I text message him at 8 pm that night (already traveling since 12 noon) and he said he was out of the train and in a bus with people smoking, a crowded bus and that Albert (who is tall!) was sitting in a really small seat...with not much leg room (all the buses are pretty much built for smaller people)

We have to laugh and think  "hey did we not drive 8-12 hrs when we were young - and didn't think a thing of it - and even came back after a day or so and do it all over again!!!!" Yep - I am starting to feel the age when I hear these things!!!  HA!

Preparing for Christmas Lunches for a local outreach.

 Elisha and Beppie asked if we would help get ready for the Christmas Lunches they were going to do a community outreach - Oh we were ever so thankful to do so...Yes! That is what I have done in the past myself... it is such a wonderful blessing ... what a Christmas blessing to do! 

 We had 150 boxes to fold and staple...then packages prepared with a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and soap for each person!

A really cute bag was bought...Eeyore, and Winnie the Pooh and .........of course Tigger-Tiger!
Happy colors & a gift of love & JOY to them...and also supply them with some needy items too!

Beppie counted the bags...do we have it covered you guys?  Do we have enough to go around???

The staff is so' sweet...Danu, Agustine and Agnes are hard workers and we are enjoying getting to know them too!  Its been a pleasure coming twice a week to teach them English!

Well this part is done...and the next morning on Chistmas Eve "Day" we start up again at 9 am to get the lunches ready to deliver.

We had lots of help..including Elisha & Beppie's visiting friends from Singapore: Collins and wife Yen & their sons Isaac and Daniel!

Danu and staff member Agnes posed for a picture!  Great smiles you guys! Thank you!

 Anita the weekend help also chipped in this morning to get all the lunches prepared and into the boxes!

Anita scooped up the rice into a bowl and then into the box!

 Agustine added the chicken into each box....

 A little green onion on the rice...a little sambal for flavoring and then we added some dressing on the chicken...sesame seed oil, and a nice kecap manis...(sweet soy sauce) very tasty indeed!

 

OK Andreaz - you too in the picture....!  Good job! 

 We worked like "Busy-Beavers" to get it all done before lunch......because there would also be a church service held! 

 

 Here is Collins & Yen with their sons...where is Sarah your daughter this morning????

Danu's wife Nia & their daughter too came to help...we all chipped in to get it done!

 OK now the last part...get the boxes into the carrying bags (good ole' IKEA!)

Have we got it done????

 More boxes Beppie, Isaac and Collins?

Wow what a beautiful sight to behold...Thank you Lord...what a blessing.

Elisha & Beppie ...our hearts our thankful this Christmas season to have met you both! Thank you - we truly felt blessed today!

We all sang together  "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" in Indonesian (so' special!) ...."Salamat Natal" 
        everyone!     "Tuhan memberkati"      GOD Bless YOU! 

Christmas Cookie Exchange~

Have you ever done a cookie exchange?  Well it was the first time for me...and it was lots of fun!  Miriam invited ladies to her home and bring 6-8 dozen cookies!  Well that we can do...I asked my neighbor to bake something for me (no oven here at the house)...Kasum makes a really nice cookie that taste very much like a "old fashion donut" with sesame seeds sprinkles added on it!

                It was such a pleasure to sit together and enjoy one another's company and......
      ........'there's nothing like ladies getting together...right?'

                                    The kids had a blast in the playroom!

 

Miriam had some delicious punch out and some snacks - so we could go for both - something salty or something sweet!  More and more ladies arrived and the table was filling up!

        So colorful...and everyone is so creative...and many recipe's     are family recipes - and from family traditions!

 Oh it was fun...everyone is busy with the Christmas bustle so it was a wonderful break to pull away and have a special evening...such a treat!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes...when ladies get together well there is no problem chatting and sharing with one another!

 Peppermint, shortbread, Christmas cookies, chocolate filled, chocolate topping, powdered sugar...

                                Miriam instructs us the best way to divie up the goods.....Go Girl!

 It was the funniest thing to do just two days before Christmas!!!  And that was smart...at least there    will be something left on Christmas Day....Right???????

                             My just look at the assortment of cookies...everyone did a wonderful job!!!

 Corrin and Ellie are having fun....can you tell???!!!!!  Hey all those sweets do give us a little sugar high right?

                                What a great picture of Shelly and her daughter Sophie!  So sweet! 
                      Salamat Natal - Everyone!

A Weekend Celebration in Kampung Dukuh!

 It all started on Saturday evening at 9 pm ~ a weekend of celebration for the people of this community we live in DUKUH (kampung) A Big tent covering was put up and large stage right

 on a street here in the village.  We walked over there and already heard the music!  Lots of people sitting down and were ready for the Wayang show and Gemalan music.  People were welcomed and...
 show began!  What is lined up there on the stage left & right are the Wayang puppets.  The man in the middle there has a microphone attached and he is also doing the puppet show with his two hands!

 Here is a close up of the stage and the story begins with a good guy and a bad guy....of course!
The people on stage play the different instruments....many gongs & drums and there was also 3 ladies dressed in the traditional clothes and singing! 
The story goes on - with all the puppets being used!  We stayed till 12 midnight and sat with our friends & neighbors Pak Jono & Kasum!  Kasum invited us to come and meet her friend who lived on the very street this was held on - to come have a cup of tea...Bu Sido & her husband were to welcoming and kind to invite us into their home!  They had tea ready and snacks!  They we went home to get some rest for the next morning the parade would start around 8 am!

It was Sunday morning and Kasum said the people from the village would begin to gather between 8-9 am.  

 

There was flags put up even right there on our corner!  

 We all headed toward the beginning point - where everyone would line up! Here are the ladies that I met with the other day - at the local RT (Kampung) meeting - they were all dressed in their village outfits!

 They men in turn - the group that Nick has met with - were also gathering and they had made a big Catfish on a cart - the theme from the parade was giving thanks for the bounty of the year's harvest!

 Here is the group of gals...all so very friendly and I was excited to take a picture of them together in their traditional wear and with their sign!

 

The sign says "Village House Peacock" 

I think it represents the name of the group.  

Oh by the way there in the middle is Kasum on her knee...she is a sweetheart!  Teaches me Indonesian and she lives 2 doors down from us with her husband Pak Jono and they are ever so helpful and always ready to help or explain things to us! 

 Here they come.....

 Yes ballons for the kiddies.....lots of color!

 

This was a nice decoration that hung from the light fixture..all made from a corn stalk we think! 

 This is a plate of food - traditional - when there is a special celebration!

 Birthday's, holiday's, Remember the ladies from the hotels that we give English lessons to..also gave me this for my Birthday?

 

There is Pak Jono and Kasum daughter too - with her girlfriends! She has her hands on her hips...

Hi Intan!!!!

 We still see many women carrying their goods like this on the streets! Especially in the pasar(market place)

 Oh Look how cute these gals are! Also carrying the bounty of fruits and vegetables!

                                             A cute pose for the photography! Say "cheese!'

 The little train had lots of produce hanging from it and it was full of children..what fun for them today!

                           This little guy was all dressed up and held the Indonesian flap in his hand!

 

Oh Look at the ladies all dressed up - pretty huh? Lots of warm smiles!

These two kids were sitting up high on a horse and cart...they looked pretty serious when this tall person with that light here showed up!

                                    Lions and Tigers and wild animals were at the parade too!

                                                                 A pretty butterfly???

                                                      She sure seems HIGH up there! 

         The ladies with their drummers both girls and boys! Look how cute they all posed for me!

 Here is little Mohammad - remember?  He is 3 yrs old and the grandson of our landlord...He called out "Pak Nico! Pak Nico...it is me Mohammad....Pak Nico!!!!" He is very fond of Nick! He was all smiles there in the train..and sis Karina too was in the train...(purple)
look at that little guy next to Mohammad....was he surprised or what?

 There is our "dokar" driver who brought us home with our groceries!  Salamat Pagi Pak!

 

Hi William and Stacey...you both look wonderful all dressed up!  

They both are teachers at the Mountain View Christian High School (SI)

 We raced ahead to the house to see them pass by!

 There is Pak Jono in the blue

 

"RT" in the white shirt is our Village head...and he is the one Nick & I went to - to introduce ourselves when we first moved into the community!  He is really nice and stops by to chat with a Big smile! 

                                     Well the parade is coming to the end now...and down our street they go!

 Yes it was a great morning and celebration!  Everyone had a good time!

 

The End ~  We went into the house and later that afternoon there was still another event but for a younger crowd...mostly teenagers.