Recipe: Simple nut cake

I made the most delicious nut cake yesterday, though it was flat as a pancake. Probably because I didn't whip the egg whites enough? No matter, it tastes really good, is healthy and Maya loves it. 

I found a basic nut cake recipe on the net and changed it round a bit. I used raw sugar and half the amount from the recipe (which must be American, their recipes always have so much sugar). I added a banana, sultanas and used whatever nuts I had in the house. I'm sure any unsalted nuts would taste good.

As I used an electric mixer, I didn't bother chopping the nuts and, as such, some came out whole, others chopped. I don't think it really matters. Another banana or other fruit, fresh or dried, would also be nice.

1 banana

handful of pecans

handful of macadamias

handful of sultanas

125g butter

2/3 cup of raw sugar

2 eggs, separated

4 tablespoons milk

1 1/2 cups plain flour  

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

fresh cream to serve, or vanilla ice cream

 

Heat the oven to 180C and grease a cake tin. 

Mix the baking powder into the milk. 

In an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg yolks and vanilla essence. Add the flour and the banana, then the milk mixture, nuts and sultanas.

In a separate bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff. Fold into the cake mixture and pour it all into the greased cake tin. Bake for 30 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. 

Serve with a dollop of fresh cream or just plain for the kiddies. 

Uno mas

"All children are horrible. I can't imagine that anyone would ever want to have any."

These were my very words to az about two months ago as I lay in bed and bawled. I admit it unreservedly. I was tired and vommiting, had paralysing headaches and stomach cramps and was nauseous around the clock. Az helplessly patted me on the shoulder. There's really nothing you can say and I'm glad that, for once, he didn't try to solve all my problems. 

That's pregnancy for you. Sickness and despondency and all the while a tiny little person is growing inside you, absorbing all your nutrients and multiplying cells at an astounding rate. You'd think your own body would be working in harmony with this miraculous process, not seemingly against you. 

Thankfully, that horribleness only lasts three eternally long, debilitating months. 

Until, at last, I can say, dear reader, that we are pregnant with baby number two. Uno mas (one more).  (Incidentally, that's one of Maya's favourite expressions, though usually said in the context of watching another episode of Playschool and not in sharing the reins of her kingdom; population: one, slaves: infinite).

This first trimester was so much harder than when I was pregnant with Maya. I guess I'm older and tireder and have had lots of broken sleep over the last two years. But I am eternally thankful to have had Jenny here taking care of the house and Maya and other stuff in general that (in reality) I should be doing. 

I'm now almost four months but I [irrationally?] wanted to wait for yet another doctor appointment before writing this post. Just to triple-check it's still in there and kicking. It is. In fact, it wriggled so much yesterday, the doctor had to chase it around my tummy to pinpoint the heartbeat. Nice and strong. 

I am due mid-November and will find out in about five weeks whether it's a boy or girl. Yes, I want to know. I don't want to be 'surprised'. I always think the biggest surprise is just having a baby; it's certainly a surprise (or a shock) to your senses when it jerks you awake howling at 3am.

Besides, there are many cute outfits to buy before then. 

And so, though unplanned and unexpected, there you have it. Another baby is on the way to turn our lives upside down. But isn't that what happens while you're busy making other plans? 

A birthday party for Maya

On Sunday we had Maya's second birthday party. The plan was to invite all our friends and their children, Maya's 'friends' and they could all play together with her toys. I wasn't sure she'd really enjoy that as kids tend to be possessive of their own things but she was great. I think she just liked having other people her size around. 

The food was a mixture of homemade (sandwiches, sausage rolls, cheese and fruit platters), and bought from the bakery chain, Castana (more sandwiches and mini pizzas and burgers). We used them last year as well. I think they are a little pricey but there are so few catering options here that we didn't have much choice. I tried both Indian and Chilean places that apparently catered but neither answered the phone. An odd business strategy perhaps but frustratingly, not uncommon in Chile.

The biggest success - and the biggest pain in the bum to organise - were the helium balloons. Life in Vietnam taught me the virtue of persistence when desiring to purchase specific items. The difference between Chile and Vietnam is that in the latter, you can find anything you want, if you're prepared to spend a whole day searching. Better yet, you can send your chi (the Vietnamese version of a nana, or maid) to find it for you. They will know exactly where to go because they will have shouted the question to somebody on the street. 

In Chile, you often can't. Such is the case with helium balloons. Or rather, the place that sells balloons doesn't blow them up for you, and vice versa. So, you have to go to two places. I figured this out after much research and three wasted trips to 'party shops'. Alternatively, the balloon shop will sell you a can of helium gas to do it yourself. Az was all for this idea but I firmly persuaded him against it. Something about helium being toxic for toddlers and babies? 

If someone started a kids' party planning service in Santiago, they would make a fortune. 

We finally procured our balloons and brought them home. Maya was elated when she saw them and they were a huge hit with all the kids.

As was the cake. My mum and I made it and it turned out really well. Okay, it was rather flat but it tasted good and looked great. I felt very relieved after last year's dismal efforts. It only needed to be recognisable for Maya anyway. Kitty!

The Women's Weekly cat

And it had rained all weekend, finally stopping about an hour before the party. Lovely, proper rain. When it cleared, we could see the snow thick on the mountains. Just beautiful. 

I held off on present opening till the next day. Maya had had enough excitement with all the children and balloons and party food and she (thankfully) toddled off to bed as soon as everyone had left. She is sleeping so well these days, touch wood. 

Az, mum and I collapsed onto the lounge and had a well-earned glass of wine - Amayna barrel-fermented sauv blanc, a special one we've been saving. It was my mum's last night with us as well. 

Then, on Monday Maya opened her gifts (though we haven't gotten through them all yet) and that's fun for any little child (or grown up). 

And thus with a party, cake and wine, begin the Terrible Two's.

What do we owe future generations?

I have spent the past few days furiously working on an uni assignment, another labourious essay. I am now at that stage where I have written all the words but transgressed so far off topic that I don't know what my original point was anymore, or if it was even valid to begin with. 

Sigh. It seems I get to this point every single time I write an essay. In fact, I have written whole essays in the past and handed them in without ever having truly understood what I was writing about. To this day, I can't really explain agency theory but I did get a distinction on my essay for it. The art of bullshitting, that's what it's all about. 

My problem with this assignment is that all the readings are by philosophers and all they talk about are theories and boring people like Kant and Rawls - trust me, you don't want to know. I doubt many politicians sit around thinking, What would Kant have done in my place? Shall we adopt the utilitarianism theory or the precautionary principle? Oh, I just don't know!

It's all very abstract and tedious, as you can imagine. Oh, and did I mention I have to get it in by tomorrow morning? No... this is already the end of my extension. Damn.

I have about three subjects left on my masters and the end seems so close. But I will be limping over the finish line.

The subject itself is interesting, at least I think so. What do we owe future generations? All about ethics and living life responsibly and all that. This I say as I type into my technologically advanced computer, powered by coal-fired electricity or whatever finite resource Santiago gets its energy from, perhaps by damming those pristine rivers down in Patagonia. 

Note the sarcasm here. 

Well, of course the main thing we owe future generations is a nice clean world to live in, one that hasn't been ravaged by climate change. And while individual actions like switching off lights, recycling and using a bike instead of a car give a nice, rosy glow of doing 'your part', in reality it doesn't make the slightest whiff of difference. Sorry. But it doesn't. 

What matters are governments choosing to invest massively in green energy instead of coal, developing self-reliance in agriculture and industry so we're not importing (and transporting) heaps of things from abroad, to stop chopping down trees, and save the fish in the oceans...

And governments do have heaps of power to do stuff like this but it's all tied up in vested interests and lobby groups and short political cycles and a pesky opposition party that whinges about the government's every move. 

But if you want people to care about the future, en masse, there need to be incentives and means to do so that people don't feel like they're making huge sacrifices. Because who wants to do that for a bunch of strangers living 300 years from now? Guilt is not an inspiring emotion. So, the choices need to exist so that people can feel they're doing something about climate change, and consequentially, the world, and then they'll feel more benevolent towards the future. 

For example, the option of switching to green energy instead of coal for your home electricity. Personally, I'd pay a bit more to do that, maybe not a huge amount but a bit more. I think Canberra does offer green energy options now. But how many other places do? And how many people even know these choices are available to them? And the government should provide decent subsidies to people who want to install solar panels or a water tank or whatever in their own houses because those things aren't cheap. But if your own government is treading water over the problem, you're kind of stuffed aren't you?

If you've followed through this past rambling, you're probably doing better than my professor will, poor fellow. A quality 329 words above, only 3,171 to go. It's going to be a long night.

And let's close with a cute picture of a polar bear. Silly, bugger, how'd he get himself perched up there? Not too bright, bless.

Happy birthday, Maya (a year in pictures)

Dearest Maya, 

It was your birthday on Friday. You're another year older - the big TWO. And we've had another eventful year in Chile.

At your birthday party in June last year, you were just starting to totter around, still a bit unsteady on your feet. 

The house was full of people and you got so many beautiful presents. I can't say you enjoyed the actual party though, what were all those strange people doing in your house? You spent most of it safely away in Jenny's arms.

A couple of weeks later, we went on a weekend away with friends to Cajon de Maipo. Unfortunately, we only stayed one night because it was utterly freezing and there was no heating at the lodge. I had to sleep with you in my bed or you would have frozen in your travel cot. I didn't get a wink of sleep, I had no idea what a wriggly, squirmy, poking bed-fellow you are. We did however take a nice walk up the mountain in the snow and accompanied, to your delight, by two friendly dogs. Daddy carried you on his back.

In August, Aunty Amber came to visit and we made our second trip to Buenos Aires. Amazingly, you slept like a log in your travel cot for the first time, and ate the same food as everyone else. It was a breakthrough in our persistent travels with baby. 

That same week though, my Dad, and your grandfather, died. He'd been sick for some time but it was still sudden. I am sad that you never really knew him and what a happy, charming man he was who lived a very long and interesting life. I will tell you all about him when you're older. 

We flew home for the funeral. Despite the sad circumstances, it was lovely to be home for two weeks. You had a wonderful time with Jessie [the cat], the neighbourhood dogs and playing in Granma's garden. 

September, and Granma and Grandad came to visit. We drove our car across the Andes and into Mendoza, Argentina. It was a breathtaking and one of the best trips we've made since being here. You were an angel in the backseat, even during our very long wait at the border on the way home.

Mendoza is, of course, wine country and we spent a week visiting wineries and restaurants, enjoying the chilled Argentinian atmosphere and admiring the wonderful views. 

September also brought Dieciocho, Chile's national day. Over the long weekend, we took Granma and Grandad to Undurraga winery. We also saw the military parade that marched down Aponquindo from Plaza Italia to the Escuelar Militar. The country was blanketed in Chilean flags.

The bigger issue in Chile through September, October and for many more months were the student riots for free education. They made headlines across the world and on most days organised protests were held in the city.

You, meanwhile, were exploring the house with all your new-found skills of running and climbing and hiding and being 'invisible'. Endless fun. 

We went to our first Hallowe'en party. I tried to dress you as a flower but the costume only lasted long enough to take this photo. 

In November, you hit the 18-month mark and your personality morphed into a little madame within days, leaving Daddy and I scrambling to catch up with all the changes. You dropped from two naps a day to one, teeth popped out, "no!" became the word of the day, and previously adored foods disappeared off the menu for good. You loved 'helping' round the house - doing the laundry, making Daddy's coffee and being a mama to your stuffed toys. You also loved howling in protest and throwing five-second tantrums in public places. We decided to take far fewer family meals in restaurants after this point. 

The weather warmed up and your favourite thing was playing with, and preferably in, water. 

You were also going to toddler music classes each week which you adored. 

December, and it was Christmas. You had 'helped' me wrap over a 100 gifts for a children's orphanage on the outskirts of Santiago. Visiting the orphanage was a very special experience. I look forward to us doing it again next year.

We drove down to Colchagua Valley (wine region) one weekend and visited some wineries and restaurants, where you ate pretty much everything and slept more or less well at night. Daddy and I were a bit disappointed in the wineries but the important thing is, we tried!

Christmas was a quiet affair at home with invited a few friends round for some festive cheer.

Then, in January, we flew back to Australia for a whole month of family time. You had a ball. Trips to the beach, cats, cousins and koalas. 

We even managed to squeeze in a winery visit in Adelaide. 

March, and your first day at jardin! A very special occasion. And you absolutely love your little Spanish daycare, four mornings a week. Mornings have become a scramble to get out of bed, eat breakfast, get dressed and out the door on time. 

A few weeks later and we were off to Uruguay. It was a sleepless week for Daddy and I but we pressed on, hired a car and drove around the country, very green from all the rain. We swam in the pool and went to the beach which you loved. And, of course, we even got to a winery, which has not only wine but donkeys too - something for everyone. 

 

It was a busy month. We also visited Vino Indomita with friends, the highlight of which was you dancing in the middle of a crowded room to the live music. You had so much fun and everyone was highly entertained. I love your complete lack of inhibition and your self-confidence in a room full of strangers. You don't get that from me.

And now, it is May again, and Granma is here visiting from Australia. You two have great fun reading books, making Playdoh animals and going to the park. 

We went out to Morandé winery for lunch and you thoroughly enjoyed running round the gardens and playing on the see-saw. 

We've just returned from ten days in Lima, where you loved watching the paragliders and chasing dogs around the park. We went to restaurants, museums, markets and ruins and walked around the city. You ate everything in sight and slept like a log at night. We all did. It was a great holiday. 

You are talking in proper sentences and switching between English and Spanish with the greatest of ease. You're repeating and understanding everything around you. It is much easier to reason with you and takes only minimal bribing with a yoghurt to get you to eat your meals (loaded with hidden fruit). Bananas are back on the menu - finally. 

Yesterday, Granma and I made you a banana and chocolate cake. You loved it. 

Happy birthday, my darling girl. Love Mummy xxx

Lima: Museo Larco

Tuesday morning found us outside the gates of Huaca Pucllana, the 10,000 year old ruins in the middle of Miraflores suburb. Unfortunately, that's as far as we got as we hadn't realised that the site is actually closed on Tuesdays. And so, we looked around for some other cultural experience. 

Museo Larco is arguably the best museum in Lima. It houses a fascinating collection of artifacts from 4,000 years of Pre-Columbian Peruvian history. It's not easy to get to and involves a taxi trip and the entry fee isn't cheap, 30 soles/adult (about $10, clearly aimed at foreign tourists).

The museum is in a beautiful white-washed 18th century mansion alit with masses of pink and red bouganvillea and geraniums, it is really gorgeous. 

Inside, my mum slowly perused each exhibition while az, Maya and I went through slightly faster. It's been a long time since I've been in such a lovely and organised museum. The artifacts are carefully catalogued and described in six languages. 

The ancient Peruvians, it seems, were fond of dressing up in their finery when going to war against each other. Certainly, they would have looked very fine and formidable but it probably slowed them down in battle a bit too. 

Breastplates of silver and turquoise

Silver mailshirt

At first glance, I thought these were tools but they're actually club heads 

- lots of different decorative means of bashing your opponent to death

And then, they had many beautiful decorative things to wear for ceremonies and such. It is amazing the technology needed to find and make these delicate pieces existed so long ago. 

Gold nose piercings representative of the jaguar, symbolic of the sun, strength and masculinity

 How leaders would have looked like in all their fancy getup

There were endless more beautiful and interesting things. Two more caught my eye...

Miniature funeral offerings [these ones were found in the tomb of a young woman] made of silver, gold, bone and ceramics. 

Tiny little bowls, spears, hair pieces etc for her use in the next life

 These vases are actually displayed upside down as carved on each is a demonic face only seen the wrong way round

Maya takes time out from all the culture with her sticker book

Then we went out into the garden for a coffee at the cafe. 

Then there was just time to duck into the last exhibit - sala erotica - before heading home for a nap. 

It's art!