Happy Thanksgiving! While the feasting may not be the same as you are experiencing, the feelings of gratitude are very present. Two thoughts in this entry: food and gratitude.
The food at St. Ignatius is outstanding. The house is staffed by a housekeeper and a cook and both provide very good meals. The breakfast meal is simple but there is always fresh fruit, dry cereal, and porridge. The coffee is very good, and while it is instant, it surpasses what I have experienced in the states. Sunday is special with pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage.
The mid-day meal (1:00 pm) always has soup. Like most families the lunch meal features left-overs. But again, there is always fresh fruit. The table has a number of spices not seen at Arrupe, Peri Peri sauce and various chili sauces.
The evening meal (6:30 pm) is more elaborate and generally has a meat course, fresh-cooked vegetables, cooked greens, potatoes (we are a little Irish) nishima (we are Zambian) fresh fruit, ice-cream and cake round out the dinner.
There have been a few surprises, but none too great. We have had liver, tongue, and gizzards (peanut butter is always available). The fish is quite good though there are a few surprises including kapenta is a small (2 inch) dried fish that is served in sauce and eaten whole.
We have had some game as well. Nishima is the national dish and is eaten for most meals. It is a white boiled corn meal that is augmented by the various sauces or gravies. The Zambians eat it by rolling it into a ball and then using it to gather other foods. We have had some celebratory meals that are really mixed grills with chicken, beef and sausages.
As we approach Thanksgiving and the Advent season, I am very grateful. This is a bittersweet time as I recall the death of my Mother on Thanksgiving eight years ago. But I am blessed with good memories of Mother and the knowledge that she enjoys the fullness of life.
As I look back on the past year, I am so appreciative of the gift of good friends, of the gifts of healing and reconciliation and the realization that my life is rich with meaning. I will thank God on Thanksgiving Day and remember you in my prayers.
The food at St. Ignatius is outstanding. The house is staffed by a housekeeper and a cook and both provide very good meals. The breakfast meal is simple but there is always fresh fruit, dry cereal, and porridge. The coffee is very good, and while it is instant, it surpasses what I have experienced in the states. Sunday is special with pancakes, eggs, bacon and sausage.
The mid-day meal (1:00 pm) always has soup. Like most families the lunch meal features left-overs. But again, there is always fresh fruit. The table has a number of spices not seen at Arrupe, Peri Peri sauce and various chili sauces.
The evening meal (6:30 pm) is more elaborate and generally has a meat course, fresh-cooked vegetables, cooked greens, potatoes (we are a little Irish) nishima (we are Zambian) fresh fruit, ice-cream and cake round out the dinner.
There have been a few surprises, but none too great. We have had liver, tongue, and gizzards (peanut butter is always available). The fish is quite good though there are a few surprises including kapenta is a small (2 inch) dried fish that is served in sauce and eaten whole.
We have had some game as well. Nishima is the national dish and is eaten for most meals. It is a white boiled corn meal that is augmented by the various sauces or gravies. The Zambians eat it by rolling it into a ball and then using it to gather other foods. We have had some celebratory meals that are really mixed grills with chicken, beef and sausages.
As we approach Thanksgiving and the Advent season, I am very grateful. This is a bittersweet time as I recall the death of my Mother on Thanksgiving eight years ago. But I am blessed with good memories of Mother and the knowledge that she enjoys the fullness of life.
As I look back on the past year, I am so appreciative of the gift of good friends, of the gifts of healing and reconciliation and the realization that my life is rich with meaning. I will thank God on Thanksgiving Day and remember you in my prayers.
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