Alex Undertakes Initiation

If the word initiation invokes images of drinking nasty concoctions of mayo and hot sauce and pickle juice or running naked through the streets at ungodly hours, I'm afraid this post is not going to live up to your expectations.  This initiation involves a complex system of cultural, lingual, geographical and social elements.  There are preliminary evaluations to pass and oral examinations.  There are streets to cross and obstacles to navigate.  Then, of course, there's the TimTam Slammer. 

In other words, SG's boyfriend Alex is here for a visit. 

SG drove up to the city with Lois to pick him up on Monday.  The playgroup moms were abuzz with "When's Alex coming?"  "I hope they get here in time to meet him" "What time did he arrive?" and all the rest.  When I got back from playgroup, they were getting lunch.  I yoohooed at the door and clobbered Alex with an almost awkward "I know you so well, we just never hang out" hug.  Hugging has got to be one of the most socially confusing rituals ever.  Nevertheless, I opted for the clobber hug, and he didn't give me a weird look, so that was good. 

We spent the following days tromping around the city, frequenting local cafes and spending time making food… barring that 48 hour period, of course, where I ate no food and was flatonmybacksickasadog.  SG and Alex got to tour the area and go up to an Aussie animal park where they saw kangaroos and koalas and all the other weird animals that live in Australia. 

You're probably wondering what kind of guy could win the Princess SG.  Well, I'll tell you, since I'm already a seasoned Alexian biographer.  He loves Jesus, first of all.  She couldn't like him if he didn't, so it's a good thing he does.  He's a runner, which is also a plus because SG's pretty keen on zipping around the streets of our little town.  Alex is a darn good runner too, and competed at the collegiate level.  In addition to being speedy, he's also a smarty, and is currently chasing his dream of getting his PhD in Math.  Yeah.  Math.  He was in marching band in high school, so they have the band kid thing in common too. 

So that's all nice and good and whatever.  But let me tell you why I like him.  For starters, he has two younger brothers, like me.  He hates olives, like me.  He does the most hilarious Polish accent, eh, not like me.  He also makes great expressive faces and sarcastic voices.  So he gets along with SG because he's sweet and all that, but he gets along with me too, and that's good.

He's doing pretty well at Aussie Survival Initiation.  He can name all the states, knows where most of the cities are, and still says Cairns like an American (as he should).  He's ridden public transport, knows to look to the right when crossing streets, has eaten pie, rabbit, TimTams and drunk ginger beer.  He's watched The Castle and part of a footy match.  His clarifying questions are getting fewer and further between.  I'd say he's doing pretty well, having just arrived on Monday. 

We even initiated him into the TimTam Slammer Club.  As far as I know, this club only has four Americans.  It's not a weight lifting contest or a sledge hammering contest, or even a drinking contest.  TimTam Slammers only have two ingredients - TimTams and something hot to drink (coffee is best).  *A note for the ignorant: TimTams are Aussie cookies that are like two brick shaped cookies with stuff sandwiched between them and dipped in chocolate.  They're amazing.*  To TimTam Slam, bite off the very ends of the TimTam, stick one end in the mug of hot something, suck the hot something through the TimTam and shove the rest in your mouth before it completely melts in your hand.  Oh wow. 

Tonight I made dinner.  Because we're in the strange Southern Hemisphere and it's turning into winter on us, I made Cheeseburger Soup, which is a Mom classic.  I also made Grandpa James' biscuits, which I love and use for all occasions.  Making recipes from other people is a nice way to think of them, and is more practical than staring at photo albums all day.  You can't eat photo albums. 

After dinner, we watched part of Storm Boy, which Ian brought by as a part of Alex's (and our) Australian film education.  It's pretty good so far, as far as 1980s B movies go.  We're pretty enthralled, and the only thing that kept us from staying up until a crazy 10:30 was an earlyish morning at church tomorrow. 

That's all for now,

Much love,

Little Miss Sunshine

Mom's Cheeseburger Soup

1/2 lb. ground beef

3/4 c. chopped onion

3/4 c. shredded carrot

3/4 c. diced celery

1 tsp. dried basil

1 tsp. dried parsley

4 Tbsp. butter/margarine (divided)

3 c. chicken broth

4 c. diced peeled potatoes

1/4 c. flour

8 oz cheese (Velveeta or cheddar)

1 1/2 c. milk

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

1/4 c. sour cream

In a 3qt. sauce pan (just a big pot), brown beef, drain, set aside.  In the same pot, sauté onion, carrot, celery, basil and parsley in 1 Tbsp butter until tender (10 min.).  Add broth, potatoes and beef, bring to a boil.  Reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 10-12 minutes of until potatoes are tender.  In a small skillet, melt remaining butter.  Add flour, cook and stir for 3-5 min or until bubbly. * Add to soup, bring to boil.  Cook and stir for 2 minutes.  Reduce heat to low, add cheese, milk, slat, pepper, stir until cheese melts.  Remove from heat.  Add sour cream.         8 servings

*When I did the butter/flour roux, it just made a paste but didn't bubble, but I added it to the soup, and it thickened it up just fine. 

Grandpa James' Biscuits

2 c. flour (sometimes I use half white, half wheat)

4 tsp baking powder

1/2 - 1 tsp salt

1/4 c oil

1 c. milk

Mix oil and milk well, add to dry ingredients in a mixing bowl.  Mixture will be fairly wet.  Dust board thoroughly with flour and put dough on board.  Knead lightly until it doesn't stick to your hands.  Pat to 1/2 inch thick.  Cut into circles using the floured bottom of a juice glass or whatever's laying around the kitchen.  Let sit in pan for 10 minutes.  Bake 10-15 minutes at 450 degrees F.  Makes 12 (more or less depending on the size of the juice glass)