mmmm smells like christmas!

I decided that a little "no bake" baking would help get me out of this little holiday depression. By "no bake" baking, I mean, since I don't have and oven, and making cookies in the jiko oven is easier said than done. I did all my cooking on the stove top.
 Its hard this time of year to be away from my family and friends back home. I will be climbing Mt. Kenya this year! Which is very exciting, but I still miss home. So I "baked" and I "baked".

I made Peanut Butter fudge, chocolate peanut butter fudge, chocolate covered pretzels, muddy buddy cookies, and attempted peanut brittle.
I found the muddy buddy recipe on pinterest (yes we even have pinterest in africa) They are store bought cookies, then you dip them in a chocolate, peanut butter, and margarine mixture, then throw them in a bag with powdered sugar and viola! and they are TAMU SANA! 

The fudge turned out great as well! Another pinterest find! just 2 cups of sugar and a little milk, bring to a boil and then add peanut butter and vanilla. I also added the cocoa powder! Another TAMU SANA!
The peanut brittle did not turn out as good as my grandmas, I tried 2 batches, but not a success. Still edible!
I made all this to give for gifts to my neighbors and friends!

I did attempt to make some nobake cookies, however I cut the sugar in half. well it turned into a bunch of yummy goo. Not gift worthy, well kibaibai took it upon himself to hop up onto the table and help himself, you know since they weren't gift worthy!
I hope he learned his lesson! I know I sure did. I never want to be up at midnight cleaning up his "runny" mess!

This will be my last post until after the holidays. I'm leaving Saturday to climb Mt. Kenya then we're heading to Lamu to ring in the New Year! So Kibaibai and I are sending Seasons Greetings from Kenya! 

World AIDS Day

I am now a world half marathoner,

Our runners representing Peace Corps!!!!

 having ran half marathons in the US and now in Kenya! Today I finished the Kisumu World AIDS Day half marathon! I took me 2 hours and 25 minutes, not my best time, however in America when you are running any race, they are for the most part well organized.  Well today, I ran along side matatus, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, cows and pigs. I ran through the slums and villages of Kisumu, on rocky uneven terrain. So for me .......... 2 hours and 25 minutes rocks! hahahha

It was fun to be involved in a  event thats here to help change the stigma of AIDS in Africa, and remind people that getting tested and protecting themselves is the only way to change the future and reduce the HIV rate in Africa. As of 2005 the HIV prevalence for adult men was 6.1% and 8% for adult women. Knowing their status will help prevent the spread of HIV to the partners. 

This event is sponsored by the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation. http://www.richardmbrodsky.org/

 has been running this event for around 30 years I think. He himself is HIV positive and very open about his status. By him being so involved in the community, he inspires not only us as Americans, to get involved, but it also inspires the Kenyans to get tested and know their status.