Our far-flung group

We have four new upside-down teardrops on our map----our 4 new cooks are adding 4 new cities and 2 new countries to our email circle! A warm welcome to Leonie Baldwin in Borris, Ireland, Susan Hadler in Washington, D.C., An Khanh in Hanoi, Vietnam, and Kevin Hearth in Poole, United Kingdom!

Leonie, our second member in Ireland, says, "I come from a sangha here in SE Ireland - Anam Cairde (Soul Friends) Sangha - who laughingly call ourselves the Gourmet Sangha! because our monthly mindfulness days are graced with wonderful shared lunches."

Susan is the first to bring our nation's capital into our circle, while An Khanh is bringing in the capital of her country, Vietnam. Her travels have taken her to Plum Village in France and to a Plum Village I didn't know about----the one in Thailand (I learn so much from all of you!) Kevin, our first member in the United Kingdom, has been to Plum Village (the one in France) several times and will be there again next month. It's fun to know our paths are crossing...

Would you like to see where we are now? Click on the "click here" shape on the map below, then roam around the world. If you click on a red teardrop, you will see the name of the city, and sometimes you will see who lives there. This map is our way to visualize our small but worldwide community. The more names we have there, the friendlier it gets, so I'm asking our new people, and everyone else on the mailing list, too----may I add your name to your city? If I add just your first name it will help us know there is a real person there; if you are willing to be better known, we could use your whole name. If you would like to take it further, you could make up a short phrase that describes you, or add your dharma name, or add a link to your presence elsewhere on the Internet (a website, article, Facebook page, or whatever.) If you ramble about on the map, you will find people who have chosen any or all of these options. There are 133 of us sharing this project together now. ( I should point out----your name on the map will not allow anyone to contact you----I won't give out your address--- it's just a way to wave and say, "Hi, I'm here!")

Before zucchini season is too far behind us, here is a tasty recipe I found: Zucchini, Corn and Mushroom Calabacitas. Calabacita means "little squash" in Spanish. Calabacitas is a traditional Mexican side dish and this version can be served that way or over potatoes or---my favorite--- rolled up inside a bean burrito. Very tasty! Looking at the photo, it occurs to me that a little red pepper or chopped tomato would be a nice addition:
Zucchini,Corn and Mushroom Calabacitas

Portland people----we have a new date for our Fall Potluck: Saturday, Nov. 8, 6PM. Please circle the date now and I'll send details later. If anyone is up for hosting this one, please let me know. Good food----good company----good conversation----let's do it again!

Happy cooking,
Eve