A Cornucopia of Produce

Even after living here for 10 months, I still can't over how inexpensive good produce is. Today's haul was less than $7 USD. 

Today's haul: apricots, tomatoes, lemon, green onion, spinach, parsley, hot peppers, strawberries, red peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, and cauliflower.

The apricots were the nicest surprise today. I have never really liked apricots, but then again, I have only ever had them dried. Fresh apricots are DE. LISH. OUS. So much so that I may have had 4 in the last 30 minutes. :)

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While walking home from the train station today, Josh and I saw this little, old Turkish man strolling down the street.

Happy New Year!

We wish all of our family and friends a very happy and blessed New Year! (Better a bit late than never)

'Tis the Season

     Anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely love the time of year between Halloween and New Years. Aside from my fondness for decorating and baking special foods for each holiday, I love that all these holidays bring my family and friends together for one celebration after the next.

     I was a bit worried that this year would be difficult because we are so far away from everyone. We had done it once before when we lived in Australia, but a friend's family really took us in over the holidays there, so it wasn't quite so lonesome.
     Thankfully our little campus community is great about trying to mark each American holiday in a special way for us foreigners. Here are some photos of the numerous celebrations.

Jack-O-Lantern Carving Party

Thanksgiving

Ugly Sweater Christmas Party

Caroling at the Staff Christmas Party

New Year's Eve Dinner in Istanbul