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Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Sorry we are open!

“Perdon … está abierto” es el cartel que sábado a sábado cuelga mi amigo John Roos frente a su puesto de café en el mercado. Me río cada vez que los veo (al cartel y a John).

El mercado de Ann Arbor –The Farmer’s Market- ha sido uno de los grandes protagonistas de mi aventura chocolatera. Y con toda su colorida sencillez, me ha hecho volver al principio, tomar un momento y ver agradecida que todo ha valido la pena.

Madrugar, congelarme, aprender técnicas de sobrevivencia para cuando se anuncian horas de clima inclemente, saludar, conocer gente, escuchar historias, observar, seguir observando, y escuchando, y admirando y emocionarme de estar entre este puñado de granjeros con años de venir con sus camiones, con sus manos gruesas, sus sonrisas trabajadoras, sus miradas viejas. Simple naturalidad que me lleva al punto de partida, que abre mis ojos a mirar y admirar. Que gente! Que suerte!!

Alex y Agnes con sus manzanas… “Alex, como haces la cidra de manzana?” “Fácil Maite, exprimo un montón de tomates”

Farmer John, sus huevos y su mañanero “good morning gorgeous”! Gary y su carne de búfalo “it’ll melt in your mouth”.. Denise, sus flores y su enorme simpatía.. Peggy por todos lados.. la buena de Carol cuidando al bueno de Richard… Grandma sus galletas y su espíritu fuerte… tantos, tantos mas….. que tanto tanto me han regalado!!

Sorry, we are open.. only Saturdays!! Hasta la próxima..

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Once upon a mother...

Finally I got a space to write a little about this amazing, wonderful, exhausting and crazy new baby in my life... Maitelates!
After my Pedro was born the 24th of December in 2007 (I know... Christmas baby....), my life went crazy. No schedule, no time to work, no time for anything... I was a mother, period. Wrong!!! After realizing all that mothers are able and capable of doing ... I convinced myself that 'one more thing' wouldn't hurt much. That's how I started to stir and turn milk & sugar into Dulce de Leche in between nursing, diapers, and giggling... and that's how my Pedro came to watch and listen to all my stories about my grandmother's house, the creamery near her house, and the big wooden spoon in that smelly sugary milk. As a good partner, he has been supporting me since the very beginning, and has been the most important piece of this crazy idea of bringing a little of my cultural background to Ann Arbor, in the shape of the sweetest and most traditional treat from Chile and many other South American countries: the Alfajor.
My Pedro arrived in December ... my Maitelates was born in April and they both are starting to grow..... little by little.... and I am really proud... and happy...... everything has been worth it!
Thanks to all that have made this possible. Thank you Pedro, thank you Gringo and many thanks to all of you that have supported me in one way or another.... actually thanks for having read this far!
Until next time!!!
the mother..