Seasonal reflections

Silas diligently working on his homework. The timer is a motivator to complete each line. This is our routine every morning - usually takes 1 1/2 hours to complete. Today he was making up for a 'sick' day so it took us nearly 4 hours in total. I wasn't quite prepared to spend my whole morning helping Silas, but I am so proud of his hard work!

Showing of his gummy grin. Sweetness!

New friends visited this weekend. Silas hid at the last moment.

"Seasonal" salad...

This salad was delightful to look at and to eat. As I savored every bite, I began to reflect on how the ingredients seem to represent a snapshot of life in this culture. ESPANAK (Spinach): One day our kapaci (grounds-keeper) showed Silas and I a near-by garden in our neighborhood where fresh greens grow. He told us we could pick there anytime and has decided to plant greens in our apartment's new garden. NAR (Pomegranate): it's now appearing in the markets. The fall season is one of my favorites with some of my favorite fruits and vegetables for sale. ERIK (plums): Silas helped pick out the red plums at the bazar. He LOVES the crunchy sweetness of plums, but has learned the hard way not to eat nine in one day.  BEYAZ NEKTARIN (white nectarine): Silas wanted to venture out an try a 'new' fruit this week. We hunted together at the bazar and were delighted at this find. ARMUT (pear): sweet and crunchy, currently Hudson's favorite fruit. Must be gentle in transporting pears or they will bruise easily. FINDIK (hazelnut): roasted it's one of my favorite nuts ever. This country is the largest producer of hazelnuts. Got to mention Nutella which is found in nearly every store.  LOR PEYNIR ('whey' cheese): We found the best and cheapest at a local farmers' store. One of the women who works there now recognizes us and greets us with kisses. HASHAS 'hashash' (poppy): This tiny seed is so much fun! Silas is very entertained by the tiny seed. This country is second largest producer of poppy seeds. Local pastry shops make delicious Hashas bread from the yellow seed (did you every watch the Mythbusters episode?). Salad dressing includes flower honey, fresh lemon juice, salt, apple vinegar.