Finally!

Yesterday was a cold, rainy day. Perfect for baked beans from the crock pot and cornbread. I actually found cornmeal at The Sultan Center a while back and was just waiting for a good time to get the beans done. Westerners are pretty much the only ones who buy the stuff. We had plans to go to the cousins' house after school for help for the Peanuts and their first dictation for Arabic. Since it was raining we rescheduled for today. It was a good thing too...there was a really strong bolt in Broumana that took out a transformer (I think a transformer...something on a tall poll anyway) near the school and another that set off a car alarm while I was buying produce (the kids were in the car right outside...I'm surprised they didn't come running in...probably enjoyed it). We also had hail, which just thrilled the Peanuts, who kept picking it up when we got home. They even liked having the cold hands. Brrr!

Today I was determined that we would have beans and cornbread. I was headed to bed late when I remembered to soak the beans. Whew! After I got home from my walk this morning I put everything together in the crock pot. This is the cheapie that I bought in Q8. It tends to run too hot and can even burn chicken on LOW, but I'm hoping that our inferior electrical system over here will work in my favor for once. It seems to...we spent some time on generator this morning after I started it.

My house smells so good. I just took the cornbread out of the oven and the beans should be ready to eat when we get home. I can't wait! A taste of home.