Coming from a South American country (Argentina), when it comes to food we have a very distinctive European influence.  Especially since 86.4% of Argentina’s population is of European descent.   Aside from the fact that we are famous for the greatest “asados” and  “bifes“  ever,  I can actually  say that the word that comes to thought is “delicioso”.  Needless to say I would be very comfortable living in countries like France, Italy or Germany because my stomach would enjoy every minute of it, or better said every meal from there! .

European Cuisine?  YES!  Hmmm, it’s like music to my ears.

BUT, wait a minute!  A couple of days ago my partner walked in with some products from India.   Within them there was a can of Verka Gulab Jamun.  Yes that’s exactly what I said:  Verka Gul… WHAT????

My son (born in Florida) started right away looking at everything and opened the can to taste it.  My immediate thought was:  “ Yeah right! I doooon’t think so!  Just give me a “chupetin”(known as a lollipop) or an “alfajor” and then I’ll eat it”.   But I knew my partner would insist that I taste it because she knew I would like it.   After all these years of being together I didn’t say a word and I tried it.

I TRIIIIIED IT?

YES, INDEED!

I DID!!!!!

And suddenly my expectations completely vanished because I found a familiar taste, kind of like “dulce de leche” known as caramel.  Sweet in its entirety, sort of smooth.  Yummy is the word I am looking for.

Funny how often we tend to make a decision about food based on the way it looks or on the way we were taught to eat but I have to admit that for a long while now I always try new things.  Of course I do favor the type of food I was brought up on but also have to admit that Beka Gulab Jamun does MAKE YOUR MOUTH HAPPY as it says on its label.

So next time you feel like having something sweet get yourself a can.  You might just like it!

And then drop me a comment, I’d like to know what you think!

Virginia R Hoato

Your #1 Realtor Trying New Things

I just read an article online that troubled me.  I am originally from Argentina and have been living here a little over 30 years.  I find this to be a country full of opportunities in fact if my parents hadn’t made the decision to fly north today my financial situation would not be something to talk about.  It is very unfortunate and very sad that with all the existent opportunities people have to go to extreme measures to be able to be treated for a terminal sickness or any sickness for that matter.  Here is URL to the articlie I read:
 http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/6…

How do you feel about this?

Your # 1 Realtor

Virginia R Hoato

Well, the first storm of the season came and went.  But as it was working its way through, the wind took some things with it or it brought them to the ground.   Our back yard has 5 big bougainvilleas.  Over a year ago I dug holes and poured cement to hold the posts that would support the trellises.  I spent many hours through out the year cutting and trimming them to guide them up the trellises so each one of them would form sort of a shade tree at the top.  It took me about 2 years to get them tall enough so they can be seen from the outside.    Eearly this week my neighbor told me a storm was coming.  He was rushing out of his house with plants.  For a minute I thought of Florida and how we experienced the big hurricanes that went through central Florida about 4 years ago but then I just moved on to better things.  And so the storm arrived and I had not put anything away.  Since we are working in the back yard there were tools, shovels, rocks, wheel barrels, plenty of things that don’t belong there.   The day of the storm I spent a lot of time outside.  The wind started making our patio chairs dance.  The rocking chair flipped and was upside down, the small pots were all over the place, one of the patio chairs holding 2 plastic chairs on top was being held by the humming bird feeder pole and a square panel of wood was on the floor.   Before we went to sleep that night I made sure all the pots were leaning against the back wall and that there wasn’t anything that could fly laying on the floor.  I remember thinking, as I was walking inside from the backyard, I hope the tallest bougainvillea leaning against the house wall manages to stay up.

That night was very windy and it rained non stop.  I could hear the wind whistling and the rain hitting the windows. Hmmmmm, morning came and as I walked the dogs to the back I saw my 15 feet plus bougainvillea on the floor stretching all the way the back wall.  The trellis had broken into two pieces.  The rest of them were fine but there was another trellis without a plant that fell on the floor by the pool.   Luckily nothing else went wrong.  Today after a couple of days of having the bougainvillea on the floor *because I had to set bigger posts with cement) my beautiful bougainvillea is up again.  My partner helped me, our arms are all scratched but I am very happy.  I wasn’t going to let a storm ruin the garden.

How was your experience with the storm?

Your #1 Realtor

Virginia R Hoato

October 28, 2009
4pm – 7pm

Livermore Downtown Inc. presents
THE 1ST ANNUAL DOWNTOWN HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL!!!

“We are excited about this evolution to a local family, kid focused Carnival event.” Says Board President Anthony McPeake. “The downtown Trick-or-Treat had grown over the years to an event huge in attendance and we can no longer afford to support it at the level needed to insure the safety of our attendees. Rather than cancel the tradition completely, we are reeling it back to an event that is focused on our Tri-Valley children in halloween costumes, enjoying a carnival designed just for them by our downtown merchants and Livermore business community.”

This year’s carnival will be made up of Carnival games and activity booths and take place on J Street and K Street between First and Second Street as well as the Livermore Valley Plaza and the Flag Pole Plaza. The Vine Center businesses will be hosting rides and activities in their back parking lot behind the Vine Cinema. Marcel Orthodontics will be recreating the Grease Carnival, complete with a mechanical fun house that will be located on K Street.

To participate, children will purchase a $5.00 fun pass that will give them access to all of the downtown activities. The fun passes may be purchased in advance at the Livermore Downtown Inc. office at 2060 Second Street. They will be available at fun pass booths in each activity location on the evening of the Carnival.

For more information call us at (925) 373-1795.

SOURCE: http://www.livermoredowntown.com/events/event_pg/halloween-carnival/