FAO furniture is muy feo.

Hi Everyone,

Sorry for not writing in a while. Honestly, I've not been in the mood as we've been moving into our new quarters and saying "Hello" and hopefully "Goodbye!" to some of the FAO furniture. A few days have given me a lot of perspective and I am happy to say most of the furniture is just fine. Some is even quite nice. Lance has a good desk to work at and the living room will be great for comfortable entertaining. Everything else is fixable or forgoable. I will say though, we are currently sleeping on two twin beds pushed together (different heights of course) because the queen sized mattress was beyond gross. Seriously now. Yuck.

The house is also growing on me. What once felt dark with strange "design elements" is quickly becoming cozy and eclectic. Does your house have Danish light fixtures? No? Mine does. : ) It also has the greatest pool/patio I have ever seen in my entire life! Pool party at Lance and Kristin's!

So all is well in Gaborone.

German Prints

This weekend Kim took me to a local fabric shop. It definitely had a clothing slant with poly blends and dress fabrics. A nice selection of linen which I may take advantage of. But what I was really there for was the wall o' German Prints.

(Lance just asked me to say how wonderful he is - we are eating lunch at a local cafe. It's Mefliam Monday so we needed something substantial in our stomachs.)

So German Prints!

The brand is called Three Cats and I found this write up on a South African Quilt Guild website:

"An Indigo dyed cotton fabric was brought to South Africa by German settler women in the mid-19th century and traders began importing this fabric from Europe. Xhosa women gradually also started using this fabric for clothing.

A German factory developed a cheaper synthetic indigo dye in the 1890s and the fabric was manufactured in Czechoslovakia and Hungary. When this manufacturer emigrated to England in the 1930's the fabric was then made in England under the 'Three Cats' trade name.

In 1982 Da Gama Textiles first started production of German Print in SA, in the Eastern Cape, under the 'Three Leopards' logo, which is the African version of the 'Three Cats.' The recipe for the dye is a closely guarded secret and it is a synthetic, unlike the original indigo dyes. There are many different designs printed on these fabrics, which are usually blue but may also be printed in maroon and brown. The Xhosa ladies still wear these dresses."

And Botswana women do as well. These ladies were nice enough to let me take their photo in a local grocery store. The woman in blue said she doesn't smile for photos which is too bad because she has a beautiful smile. The dresses make liberal use of satin stitch with white thread to create designs. Not a lot of women wear them but they are always a joy to see.

So here is what I bought.

Most of them were very small prints with the exception of the ones with the HUGE (10 inches easy) smiling picture of Nelsen Mandela. I am not making this up. Pic to follow. They worked out to be a little under $6 per meter. Not cheep but not much is here in Gabs. It smelled soooooo strongly of wax which I initially misattributed to it just being new fabric but under closer examination I believe it is made by batik process. ("DUH" all those in the know say but I was pretty surprised.) I'm so accustomed to thinking of batik as primarily the swirly tie-dye looking stuff in the states but I forget its a process more than an effect. I really need to do some research on how fabric is printed in general. All things are possible once we get steady internet access.

So I washed the fabrics, they shrunk by about 10% and got to work. As we will be spending a ton of time on the road, I'm going to use them for a Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern I can do in the car. I packed a batik jelly roll (the tie-dye kind) and have some yellow and orange that will be perfect for the centers. Pics to follow. : )

Thinkingcap time...

OK, I need some help from my fellow quitters and all the other smart people who are reading this blog.

As all of you know, I’m going to travel with Lance while he explores Africa over the next year and my intention is to learn about, be inspired by and support African women in the fabric industry. But I only have a year. And I won’t be in one place for very long. And unfortunately, I can’t ship things out in bigger than fat quarter size.

I'm a little stumped.

So I’m calling on all my quilting peeps and business minded individuals. Anyone have any suggestions? Feel free to use the comments section of this entry or email me at sellskristin@yahoo.com if you prefer. Thanks for anything and everything!

A little something for the QUILTERS!

Oh my gosh Kristin, you’ve been in Botswana for a month now. Where the heck is the quilting stuff??? Well, I’m so glad you asked. Sorry it has taken me so long. My sewing machine is still en route so I’ve been reluctant to really start exploring lest I just cry for the lack of a machine. But my new and soon to be good quilting friend, Laurie, loaned me her Bernina! I feel like Sweeney Todd, “My arm is now complete!” That is without the murders or the musical numbers. Okay, I might actually break into song if a block turns out particularly good.

So here are some “quilty” photos I’ve taken so far. First from the flight from the east coast proving inspiration is everywhere in quilting.

Next these are some huge panels hung in the Mondior Hotel in Gabs. They are made of a burlap material and was part of the whole “Africa Chic” thing they had going at the hotel.

What I thought was so interesting is they are hung seam side out! I double checked the placement of the sleeve and they were hung correctly. . It really worked well with the rougher texture of the burlap.

Here is a close up of the stitching – anyone know what stitch this is?

Lastly for now, a shot of the floor mosaic at the local convention center. See, quit potential all over the place.

More to follow after I go to a local fabric store tomorrow. I've seen hints of a wonderful cornflower blue and cherry red print called "German Fabric" We shall see and you know I'll take pictures. BFN. : )

Late night visitor

Something unnerving happened last night. Lance and I were half expecting company and there was a ring at our gate. A little background information for the 99% of the reading population that don’t live in embassy housing, the houses are locked up tight. Bars on the windows, bars on the doors, bolts, serious alarm systems, safe rooms, electrified fences. The works. It inspires feelings of both security and panic, simultaneously. I’m starting to get use to it. It’s a pretty funny sight when someone is at the gate and I realize I left the door keys in the back of the house and have to run all to get them … because otherwise I’m locked in. Nice.

So there was a ring at the gate and Lance went outside to confirm who it was and let them in. Much to his surprise it was not one of our friends but some guy looking much scruffier than your average Gaboronian and asking for money.

So what do you do in this situation? Give him a couple bucks and this could become a regular thing with people ringing our bell at odd hours of the night. I've seen it happen. Or you could send him off with nothing and you ‘re a big paranoid jerk. No good solutions. I’ll take the karmic heat for this one as I told Lance to lock the door and send the guy on his way. He did and the guy left pretty quickly. We both felt pretty crummy about the situation but for me it really comes down to do I want this guy showing up some night Lance isn’t home? It was a tough. I just know it’s a whole different ball game once the sun goes down. Still, I'll feel better when I can start volunteering somewhere. And now that I can drive the car....

Lost in Camden

Remember way back in 2006 when we moved to New Jersey? To put it mildly, traffic patterns are a little different there. New Jersey was my first experience with traffic circles, jug handles and roads where you could not turn left. Those of you who know… you know.

So I had this running joke that every time I left our apartment I would end up “Lost in Camden.” For those of you not having been lucky enough in your life to live in the honestly awesome state of New Jersey, Camden is a pretty rough town. It had the highest per capita murder rate for a years. It is not a place you want to stop and ask for directions. The thing is, a few early drives in a row I honestly did get turned around and lost in Camden. Scary times. Later on we got a Garmen, I got to know the roads and even volunteered at a Camden grade school. I got to know the city a little better when one of its long term residents took me for a driving tour and shared some info about local politics.

And then we moved. And then we moved again. Then a little while in a different state. Now we are in Africa.

And today in my first solo drive in our new car.…. cute huh? In case you were wondering about the lush vegetation, this isn't really a photo of our car, just to same make/model/color from the internet. I'm not getting lazy I'm getting more efficient. : ) It's a pretty good car. Much smaller than it looks in the photo. It isn't any longer than my Protege and drives like my old Tercel. Zippy!

So today I went for my first solo drive. It was a big deal because they drive on the left side of the street here so the steering wheel is on the right and everything is reversed. And wouldn't you know it ... I got lost in Camden.

Seriously! I don’t know how the entire town was transported to Botswana but it was like my car had a magnet pointed toward the crummy part of town and every turn just took me further in. It was pretty neat to see more of Gabs though. Another plus, I didn’t hit any goats. We came close a few times but no goats died in the inspiration for this blog entry.

So eventually I found a familiar road and got home. Alls well. Still, I am REALLY REALLY looking forward to when the box with our Garmen gets here. Then Lance and I will pick up the Bots/South Africa chip and I will be free to get lost in some other country. I bet there are Camdens all over Africa just waiting to be discovered. And don't even get me started on the traffic jams when the stoplights don't work.

Shave and a Haircut

Hi Everyone from one of the shopping centers in Gabs. Lance and I just finished breakfast and he has run upstairs to get his hair cut. While I wait (and wait and wait and wait) for the bill I thought I would bring you up to date.

We are still in the temporary house but were able to do a walk-through of our future home base. It will be just fine. I'll give you more details when we actually move in but for now I'll say it has a pool and patio to die for. I'm very pleased. Not much by way of natural light which will be a challenge but one we can work around.

Last night we were officially welcomed in a Hail and Farewell by the embassy. It was informal and lots of fun. Afterwards, Kim and Luke came over and we played a little Rockband. Both took to it very well with Luke on bass and Kim banging away on the drums. Lance played guitar and your's truly sang. Well, screamed a few of the songs. I'm not even sure what to call what I did for Sabotage by the Beastie Boys. Love me some Ozzy though. : ) Anywho, it was a riot and we called it a night at midnight.

Checks here. Gotta run. Love to all.

It's time for a sing a long!

Hello Mother, Hello Father
It's your Daughter in Botswana.
No Malaria
at least so far
and Lance and I just purchased a big safe car.

We saw a baboon outside the mall
we went kayaking and didn't fall.
And we have traveled
across the border.
Stayed in hotels, motels, safaried
and tipped the porters.

We played poker with some friends
it was lots of fun
because Lance wins.
Me, not so much
but oh well
you know me, a good hand and everyone can tell.

Food is great here, very meaty
But please send multi vitamins
we are needy.
Bath and Body Works
has nice hand creams
and please please please please
send some sunscreen!

Well that's all from Gaborone
Gotta make dinner,
maybe rigatoni
Please give Boggie
a great big hug
and one for each of you.
From, Kristin. Lots of love!

On the move!

Hey folks. Lance and I are moving out of the hotel and into temporary housing. It will be very nice to have all the nice housey things (washer/dryer/more then 15 feet between us) but we will not have internet. We'll do what we can when we can but if we don't post/email/im don't think we are dead in a ditch. Most of the bodies are dumped behind bushes here anyway.

Just kidding. : )

Quick note before I sign off: Last night Lance and I went kayaking with a friend from the embassy in the local water reserve. Nebraska people, think Big Mac with hills. It was beautiful!!! And we didn't flip which was much more challenging than I expected. Kayaks are not canoes that's all I'm sayin.

So, love to all and I'll update when I can. We move into perm housing in a few weeks!
K

A Post for Janet

Hi Everyone, this post is especially written with my former coworker, Janet, in mind. She is such a fabulous foodie and could always be counted on to know the best restaurants in town as well as the million places abroad she has visited. Well Janet, if you ever go on safari and stay at the Buffalo Lodge this might be your dinner:

Friday 25th:
Starter: Tiann of smoked salmon with honey mustard sauce and Broccoli Soup

Main: Ostrich fillet served on a bed of pepper dew risotto rice and veg

Dessert: Malava pudding

Saturday 26th:

Starter: Black mussels bisque in a creamer white wine sauce with Ginger and Carrot soup

Main: Lemon and Beer Chicken, lentils, rice and veg

Dessert: Chocolate roulade


The starters were really the most memorable for me. Lance is not a big fan of smoked salmon but a little bit of it with the right sauce and I'm a happy Kristin. We first had a smoke salmon appetizer with our Christmas cruise in Paris and it was fantastic! But a little bit still goes a long way. Any more than 1/8 of a cup and it becomes very clear your eating nearly raw fish.

The mussels on Saturday were by far the best I have ever had and I could have eaten another bowl for dinner! Definitely something I'll try again.

Lance said the Ostrich was very rich, a little like goose, but not a greasy. Tiny little steaks for such a big animal. They were petite petite fillet size. Pretty good though.

For breakfast we enjoyed muslix on yogurt with honey. Lunch was usually a souffle and sliced meats. Beer was Carlsberg and wine was a house white from South African and pretty darn good.

We are poor. We are full. We are happy. : )

Why elephants are cool...

They can walk and poop.

This entertains me to no end.

Lance, on the other hand, was more impressed by the guides engaging in a deer poop spitting contest.

Yes, I said deer poop spitting. Deer poop in pellets which can be etc etc. I think we all can agree this is a sport that should never go international.