Cocinando

What better time is there than a sunny Sunday afternoon to eat warm gooey chocolate chip cookies? For me any time is a good time, and it seems the kids and staff at the hogar are in agreement now that they have tried them for the first time. Since it is practically impossible to find light brown sugar in this country, I had mom and dad send me brown sugar and chocolate chips in the mail. I received the package yesterday and I figured I better put it to good use. I whipped up a double batch of chocolate chip cookies to share with all the kids and it was more of a success than I thought possible. With all the sweet treats that exist in this place, I thought my cookies would just be another one on the list. But all day long I have had people asking me to make more, to write down the recipe and to ask for more ingredients in the mail! I had fun cooking and it was another step towards integrating myself into the house. Just a few minutes ago I was sharing a cup of tea and some chocolate chip cookies with one of the women who comes later in the evening and we got a chance to talk and share a little bit more, all thanks to the cookies. One thing she said to me was that it seemed to her like I was feeling much more comfortable in the house. This is true. I have taken a certain ownership in this place and feel like I can finally call it home... one of the many places I call home. I don´t think I could survive a year if I didn´t at some point feel like I had a home here. It takes time and energy to create that kind of space and feeling, especially when you are thrown into a house where 30+ people are already living and moving in their own routine. I am extremely thankful for the opportunity I have been given to jump into their world, and I am especially grateful that they have opened their hearts and their home to me in such a way I feel welcomed and loved.