When the Going Gets Tough… the Not So Tough Make Cinnamon Rolls

I’m sitting here in my down jacket with a cup of hot mate in my hands. It seems so strange to be experiencing winter in July! We have been finding creative ways to stay warm, dry, and in good spirits during the our first winter in Paraguay…

 

1. Make Cinnamon Rolls- they are warm and delicious and remind us of home! Also, after we remove the rolls from our small oven, we leave the door open to help warm the house as it cools. Also, holding the pan on our laps, warms our legs and helps the rolls cool more quickly. 

2. Suave Hot Water Bottle- Fill an empty shampoo bottle with boiling water, then carry it around with you or put it next to your cold parts. A great way to warm up those cold feet! Don’t forget to use a plastic bag as a gasket for the lid to avoid leaks- Mark’s handy work.

3. Rain Proof- We put a rain poncho on top of the mosquito net that covers our bed. This stops the rain that leaks from the roof from getting our blankets wet. Pots and pans work, too, though tend to slide to the center of the net.

 

4. Christmas in July Party- we recently got together with 17 other volunteers at a hostel in Asuncion and cooked dinner, wore ugly sweaters from thrift stores, traded Secret Santa gifts, and shared Christmas traditions from home. We had a great fun catching up about stories from “site” and spending time together!   A pirate on stilts even made an appearance, (“Who was that guy?!”).

 

5. Work With It- Try to make “steam rings” come out of your mouth, while drinking your morning coffee.

6. Good Old Physical Work- to get the blood moving. Whether helping our neighbors harvest mandioca, relocating baby Tajy trees for transplanting from an area to be burned; digging in the garden; or helping Paraguayan farmer clear brush before the tractor arrives.

7. Buy a Wool Blanket- The artisans in Arazape make amazingly heavy, beautiful handmade wool blankets! The one we bought keeps us toasty at night.

8. Go to a Festival, Wedding, or Celebration- In Paraguay, social gatherings are always accompanied by loud music and the opportunity to dance the night away- a great way to stay warm and have fun!

9. Wool Socks- Our first pair from Amber and Dave, then, Ashley and Eliot recently sent a pair to each of us. They are so soft and fluffy and warm, (the socks).

10. Getting Cards, Letters and Emails from Home- warms the heart, every time!  

    

    Our Family and Friends "Shrine"