PACKET OF GREEN TEA

BEFORE:
500g. packet of dried green tea - the kind that resembles little bits of bark. Unopened.

AFTER:
Small pieces of plastic and a carpet of tea leaves spread over the total area of the living room (15 square foot), giving the floor a forest style chic look.

DENDE FRUIT

BEFORE:
A tiny, red oily fruit - the fruit from a dende tree (a.k.a. oil palm) on the path leading to our local beach. Dende oil is used to flavor Afro-Brazilian dishes such as moqueca. Dogs LOVE this fruit.

AFTER:
A mush of red on Mel's teeth, and one satisfied labrador.

SWEDISH FOOD CATCHER

BEFORE:
Brand new red plastic item, about 20cm in diameter. Curved at one end, square corners at the other. Small colander-like holes.
My sister sent me this from Sweden with no explanation of what it was. I put it on a shelf for a few weeks and pondered the matter. Finally came to the conclusion that it must have been designed to put in a kitchen sink to catch bits of food and prevent headaches in the drain department. The size and shape is all wrong for Brazilian sinks, so I put it back on the shelf and waited for some artistic inspiration regarding what could be created with this piece of shiny red plastic.

AFTER:
Chewed up red plastic item, about 16cm in diameter. Curved at both ends. Large colander-like holes.
Turns out Mel's artistic inspiration arrived more quickly than mine.

MINCED MEAT, CARROT, BEET, AND WHITE RICE

A tasty, healthy meal for Mel today.

BEFORE:
A lovingly prepared gourmet dish combining protein, fibre, calories and vitamins, with yeast powder sprinkled on top. Mmmm...

AFTER:
An empty doggie dish - job well done!

BRAND NEW, 100% COTTON SHEET

Went out in a rush. Leaving guest bedroom door slightly ajar. Returned to find new sheet no more.

BEFORE:
Delux, 100% cotton, speciality linen king size double sheet. Crisp white with orangey and yellow sunshine like circles. Ironed and folded and placed on 5 foot high shelf.

AFTER:
A cottoney holey, muddy, mess in the backyard.