Mate Dinner??

In the spirit of the chilly weather, and nothing to do on a "holiday", Paul and I decided to stay home this afternoon and indulge ourselves in mate dinner.

For many of you who do not know what exactly that is; it's a meal that centers around drinking YERBA MATE. This is a traditional Uruguayan tea that you drink by brewing the leaves in a gourd, adding water from a thermos, sipping through a metal straw....adding a lot of sugar (optional ). This MUST be done sitting around a table with family and friends, engrossed in friendly conversation (usually more than one going on at a time), and eating: funky cheese, green olives, salami, pepperoni, bread and crackers! I think that it's the equivalent of English tea time; done daily but occasionally substituted as a meal.
It's really nice and relaxing and one of my favorite things to do with Paul's family... has been since we started dating. It has been my experience that Americans don't spend enough time talking to each other. We have no strong traditions that center on conversation, beside our cell phones.
It's been a wonderful way to get to know people. The experience is actually addicting.

Well, today was the first time little Miss Elizabeth joined us for a mate meal and WOW!!! This girl is a Norat in so many ways. My darling picky eater ate: Gouda, Dill Havarti, and Vintage Aged Cheddar Cheese!! She dipped bread and crackers in Roasted Pine Nut Hummus!!! And even nibbled on salami and green olives!!!
Was I missing something when trying to feed her PB &J?!?! Applesauce?!?!

(See the animal cookies in this picture? She wouldn't touch them!)