SNAP THAT

In my last post, I let my readers know about the urgent food insecurity situation in Kenya and Somalia, and in the whole of the Horn of Africa. I was surprised that several people were unaware of the drought in this part of the world. Many people seem to be experiencing inadequate information or not getting updates on the situation there in East Africa. Here is a map to help you find the countries of Kenya and Somalia. See eastern Kenya just under Yemen in the middle east. The United Nations has reclassified the situation from a  "drought" to a "famine" due to the severity of the crisis. If I understand correctly, they say the world has been slow to respond to the situation in the Horn of Africa.  By upgrading the description of the situation to a "famine" they hope to illustrate for the world just how critical the situation is.  So in light of the urgency of the crisis, I've decided to present a few facts and show you some videos.  This

My blogging friends, If you know what you will eat today, you are very blessed indeed. In case any of you are in doubt about whether there are starving Kenyans in the Nation of Kenya, East Africa, I wanted to post this opinion piece from the country's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. He was making a heart felt appeal to the nation through his opinion piece , which I have reproduced in full below (you can also click on the word "opinion piece" to be linked to the original post). I also wanted to show you what my friend Jonah from the Missions of Hope has been doing in northern Kenya in terms of food aid.  The food relief effort shown in the photos, occurred in March of 2011. It was a relief effort to help the northern Pokot peoples.  Jonah would like to go again next month if he is able to get more food aid and helpers. I am not making any appeal for money in this post ( although any

These aloe plants are growing on the side of the highway on the way to Marigat, Kenya. Look at all the succulents in the background too. I'm not sure the name of that succulent tree but it is plentiful in these parts. As for the aloe vera plant there is a factory nearby which grows and harvests many fields of aloe vera. Click on the badge to link to more scenes from around the world.

" A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Famous line from Shakespeare's, Romeo & Juliet   I've always loved roses of any kind and especially if they are fragrant. These ones are located along a busy road way at the edge of someone's garden.   Even when the rose begins to wither, it's beauty is still there.         Click the badge to join in Macro Flower Saturday. or  Join in the fun at Weekend Flowers hosted by the lovely, Tina.

This was a failed macro photo but as I looked at it, I realized I liked the effect of the stems against the lovely sky. Happy Sky Watch Friday everyone. I do have an entry for the macro flowers meme so come back a little later *wink. Link up with Sky Watchers here .

I love red peppers. They are my favourite of the various peppers available. I like them both for their brilliant colour and for their taste. Normally I eat them in red pepper hummus, as canned grilled peppers and peppers roasted with meat or chopped up in salads. The other day while doing my usual blog reading I happened on a simple recipe for Red Pepper Soup.  Anyone who has been reading my blog for awhile knows I only make simple and easy recipes.  If you would like to try it too, you can find the recipe at my blogging friend Lala's beautiful blog. You can get there by clicking here . I didn't even wait for the soup to cool after I blended it because I made it for lunch and am in a bit of a rush today. It was still very nice warm and the rest has been saved for a refreshing cool soup later. Tip:  Make sure you peel off all the skins of the veggies or you will find some pieces in your blended soup. Here it is garnished with freshly ground black pepper. I love freshly g

A big "welcome and thank you" to my newest followers, Rosie Gan , Lynette Killam ,  Eki Ahkwan , Susan and Brenda Green .  You may check out their lovely blogs on gardening,  travel, photography, personal reflections and testimonies, by clicking on their names.  I also want to thank everyone for their heartwarming responses to my last post A Little Boy goes Home .  If you missed it, please click on the title. Happy reading. Hello friends, I'm inviting you to sit down with me. Put a cup of tea or coffee in hand and pull up a comfortable chair.  If you are experiencing a heat wave right now which some of you definitely are, then I offer you a cool and refreshing lemonade instead. Now are you comfortable? Good. Today I wanted to share with you the story of an American named Ray. Ray served in the Vietnam war and now lives in Australia with his lovely wife Crystal Mary.  Crystal had to go in for knee replacement surgery this week so I pray she is recovering well.  She