So what does that have to do with anything? It doesn’t I just though I would share.

This last weekend, we were the popular kids and were invited to two parties. Friday night we went and met some Bulgarians. Yes, Bulgarians living in Los Alamos! Kiril and Miriana were their names. They’ve been in the states for about 10 years. I tired, and I stress the word try, to speak with them and listen to them, but it was hard. There is a lot of rust on my brain and my feeble attempts at practicing this week were, well, feeble. I was frustrated because I knew what I wanted to say but it didn’t come out right. My husband says that their eyes popped out of their heads when I stared to speak Bulgarian. I guess an obscure Eastern European language being spoken by an American in the middle of the New Mexican desert is strange. It was beautiful however to hear them speak clean, real Bulgarian. I hope we can become friends, because...well because!

The food was also EXCELLENT! And did I mention it was all Bulgarian?

We started with cheese, crackers and a dip made with dill and chybritza (which is a spice you cannot find here). Also we had spinach banitza, which is like spanikopita. Our dinner consisted of shopska salat (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions, vinegar, olives and Bulgarian Feta cheese, which is also called sirene), surimi (cabbage leaves stuffed with rice) kebabchete (mixed, spiced meat which is grilled), bread – a Bulgarian meal is never complete with out it, and for dessert, baklava with ice cream. Miriana also made up a pitcher of arian which is plain yogurt diluted with water or milk and salt. All I can say was I was having a trip down culinary memory lane, and it was all good.

When we got home my husband asked if I can make kebabchete. Of course, and I will too!

The second party was down near Abq and was given by one of my husband’s co-workers. IT was an interesting group. We sat down and immediately one of the aunties came to introduce herself. She was from Texas, but she let us know how much she hated George Bush, for like 20 minutes she let us know. We just sat there smiling politely. Finally Joey said, “But, isn’t it great we live in a free country and we get to choose?” I think that was lost on Aunt Texas, but anyway.

We didn’t stay too long. Many of the guests were drunk when we got there, and they were getting drunker as time passed. We felt like fish out of water at that point. “Hi, were the Mormons! We don’t drink or smoke or swear or anything! But if you need a jello or a casserole we can help you there!!”

And there you have it, our current adventures. Party on!
PS to Abq Mom, Love Monkey was cancelled by CBS after 3 episodes. They claim lack of ratings. Well, how can you get ratings with out a chance to grow the audience? Anyway, the remaining episodes are being aired on VH1, Tuesday nights at 7pm in the Mountain Time zone. It also re-runs on VH1 on some afternoons. There is talk that VH1 or UPN will pick it up, but nothing has been decided for sure.

PPS...if anyone wants any of the Bulgarian recipies, I would be happy to share!!