Time seems to be evaporating!
Between baby-proofing, visitors, trips, baby swimming, dentist visits (argh!) and daily life I simply have neglected the blog writing. The pictures and stories of Berlin and Heidelberg are forthcoming - great times and wonderful memories created with my mother-in-law.
I am giddy with anticipation as one of my great friends from the States arrives this weekend and then we are off to London over Thanksgiving.....How this holiday is a week away completely boggles my mind!
Having a baby must some how hit the fast forward button on life.
Thanks for your patience :)
Showing posts with label Ramblings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ramblings. Show all posts
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Muscat Grapes
I love stumbling across a new food, especially when it's tasty and healthy. Welcome...Muscat Grapes. These green grapes with a red-ish pink hue are a combination of the best qualities of green and purple grapes.
After finishing the grapes and deciding to blog about them I needed to learn more about them. Although these sweet little aromatic wonders are new to me they are far from new. Apparently, these are one of the oldest known grapes and used in hundreds of wines and grown all over the world. They can range in color from light to very dark.
Maybe it's living in a big city, maybe it's being in Europe surrounded by fresh markets everywhere, but I am discovering new produce all the time whether it arrives in our weekly delivery or I find it at a street market.
Cooking can become very interesting when using new ingredients and translating new recipes. In this weeks delivery we received a pack of herbs for "Grüne Soße" (green sauce) a Frankfurt specialty. The sauce even has it's own festival coming up soon - May 21-28. Once I collect a few needed ingredients I will make my first attempt at green sauce.
Stay tuned!!!
After finishing the grapes and deciding to blog about them I needed to learn more about them. Although these sweet little aromatic wonders are new to me they are far from new. Apparently, these are one of the oldest known grapes and used in hundreds of wines and grown all over the world. They can range in color from light to very dark.
Maybe it's living in a big city, maybe it's being in Europe surrounded by fresh markets everywhere, but I am discovering new produce all the time whether it arrives in our weekly delivery or I find it at a street market.
Cooking can become very interesting when using new ingredients and translating new recipes. In this weeks delivery we received a pack of herbs for "Grüne Soße" (green sauce) a Frankfurt specialty. The sauce even has it's own festival coming up soon - May 21-28. Once I collect a few needed ingredients I will make my first attempt at green sauce.
Stay tuned!!!
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Market Discovery
I've discovered my new favorite sinful treat...Cardamon & Date Cream Cheese.
Last week at the Friday market in Friedberger Park I decided to try something new and very glad that I did indeed. Usually I pick up hummus and olives - we've been trying all the different olive combinations lately. Lemon & parsley olives, Parmesan olives, garlic & coriander olives - all are very delicious by themselves and mixed in salads. This week I might just have to try a new flavorful cream cheese, but will certainly be picking up more cardamon & date.
Since signing up for the organic produce delivery I've encountered produce that I've never seen before, which is always exciting. Most recently, we received bärlauch which translates to ramson in English. The dark green wild garlic/leek leaves paired well with Chanterelle mushrooms in a pasta sauce. I wonder what we will be surprised with next....thank goodness for Internet!
Last week at the Friday market in Friedberger Park I decided to try something new and very glad that I did indeed. Usually I pick up hummus and olives - we've been trying all the different olive combinations lately. Lemon & parsley olives, Parmesan olives, garlic & coriander olives - all are very delicious by themselves and mixed in salads. This week I might just have to try a new flavorful cream cheese, but will certainly be picking up more cardamon & date.
Since signing up for the organic produce delivery I've encountered produce that I've never seen before, which is always exciting. Most recently, we received bärlauch which translates to ramson in English. The dark green wild garlic/leek leaves paired well with Chanterelle mushrooms in a pasta sauce. I wonder what we will be surprised with next....thank goodness for Internet!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Papier-mâché Mobile
If for no other reason at least I get to make a mess and have fun doing it....
When I first found out that I was pregnant I decided I was going to make a mobile for the baby. Finally, my idea is coming to fruition. Now there are nine brightly painted papier-mâché balls of varying sizes drying on the window sill. Next step will be to paint different designs and patterns on each - I'm really looking forward to this part - not as gooey and messy, but looking forward to getting creative.
Papier-mâché paste recipe:1 cup all purpose flour + some
1 cup water
pinch of salt
*As always I don't really measure, but sort of guestimate!
Slightly more flour is best as it will be thicker, easier to work with and most importantly strong. The salt will help to prevent mold. Make sure each layer completely drys all the way before adding the next. I used balloons as the base for this project.
The paste lasted for awhile covered in the refrigerator and when needed I would add more water, flour, and bit of salt and whisk together.
Each sphere seemed sufficiently hard enough after three coats of pasted newspaper. Be sure to remove the cut edges from the newspaper before making strips as they will not mesh and end up creating a seam.
The interesting part will be suspending and hanging these colorful orbs!
Today while applying a second coat of paint, Nugget & I were listening to Xavier Rudd...love sharing the music and the moment!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
hold that thought
Please bear with me as I attempt making some minor changes to my blog in order to better organize entries. I am not a technologically inclined person, but using Blogger is pretty straight forward. It should not take too long and please let me know what you think.....
I want to thank all who take the time to read and browse through my blog. Your readership, comments, and input are greatly appreciated!!!
Enjoy the adventure.....
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| For those who keep asking....A picture of my baby bump! Never thought I'd be posting these on the Internet... |
Friday, January 27, 2012
Snow!
Just as the days are growing longer and the birds can be heard chirping into the evening....Snow falls on Frankfurt! I awoke this morning to a light dusting - not meant to last - instantly the child within me was awakened. Coming from Michigan and loving the winter the last couple months have required a quiet acceptance of my new environment. Although the sun seems to shine a bit more here in the winter - the lack of snow has been slightly disappointing - until this morning.
So of course, I had to play with my new camera and capture this magical morning....
So of course, I had to play with my new camera and capture this magical morning....
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| Balcony window boxes - over looking church |
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| Snow!!! |
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| Little green remnants of summer |
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| Neighborhood dusted in white |
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| The parked snow dusted & quiet in the morning |
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| Quiet morning |
Monday, January 16, 2012
European Bucket List
After a wonderful home visit to Michigan over Christmas & New Years we return to Germany with much to look forward to and feeling replenished - well with the exception of jet lag and a cold!
Four months passed between moving and the holidays and those months flew by - now I feel the need to make a European Bucket List. We will only be here for a limited time and there are so many places to see...where to start...we've received some input, but welcome any additional ideas or recommendations. Please comment if you know of or highly recommend any destinations/sights....So far we've come up with this list - not in any particular order:
-Amsterdam & The Hague
-Paris
-France
-Brunnen, Switzerland
-Italy
-Palermo, Sicily
-Spain
-Greece
-Istanbul
-Scotland
-Ireland
-Brussels & Bruges, Belgium
-Austria
-Sweden
-London
-Budapest, Hungary
-Copenhagen, Denmark
We are open to suggestions! There are just so many places and so little time - not to mention - my teenage dream of backpacking around Europe will soon include our baby in a backpack.
Four months passed between moving and the holidays and those months flew by - now I feel the need to make a European Bucket List. We will only be here for a limited time and there are so many places to see...where to start...we've received some input, but welcome any additional ideas or recommendations. Please comment if you know of or highly recommend any destinations/sights....So far we've come up with this list - not in any particular order:
-Amsterdam & The Hague
-Paris
-France
-Brunnen, Switzerland
-Italy
-Palermo, Sicily
-Spain
-Greece
-Istanbul
-Scotland
-Ireland
-Brussels & Bruges, Belgium
-Austria
-Sweden
-London
-Budapest, Hungary
-Copenhagen, Denmark
We are open to suggestions! There are just so many places and so little time - not to mention - my teenage dream of backpacking around Europe will soon include our baby in a backpack.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Gratitudes
Finally some rain arrived this weekend after the driest November in Germany....thank goodness! However, the Michigander in me is anxious for the snow. Soon enough hopefully. Everyone has said that last year was really cold and snowy, but I imagine it's nothing compared to southwest Michigan.
I'm feeling rather grateful and even though I could list my gratitude's here - I will spare you...at least a little....
Last night we were listening to music - String Cheese Incident - and our little love "Nugget" was bouncing around and jamming to the music. We sat and watched my baby bump moving - what an extraordinary feeling - I will never forget that moment. I am grateful for a healthy pregnancy.
Another gratitude I must share is for sunsets. It may sound strange as Lake Michigan is one of the best places to catch a sunset, but in the evening the sky here in Frankfurt can be brilliantly colorful especially with all the contrails. So Frankfurt sunsets are not on the same breathtaking level as back home, but they are beautiful in there own way and I am grateful for catching a glimpse each night.
A final gratitude....I'm grateful you took a moment to read my blog. I hope that we can all find a few things to be grateful for each day. Enjoy!
I'm feeling rather grateful and even though I could list my gratitude's here - I will spare you...at least a little....
Last night we were listening to music - String Cheese Incident - and our little love "Nugget" was bouncing around and jamming to the music. We sat and watched my baby bump moving - what an extraordinary feeling - I will never forget that moment. I am grateful for a healthy pregnancy.
Another gratitude I must share is for sunsets. It may sound strange as Lake Michigan is one of the best places to catch a sunset, but in the evening the sky here in Frankfurt can be brilliantly colorful especially with all the contrails. So Frankfurt sunsets are not on the same breathtaking level as back home, but they are beautiful in there own way and I am grateful for catching a glimpse each night.
Sunset from our balcony.
Today I am grateful to have found so many gently used and much needed baby items to buy from others through Mother's Corner an extension of the American Women's Club and through the web forum Toy Town Germany a great resource to us for all things an expat living in Germany might need.
A final gratitude....I'm grateful you took a moment to read my blog. I hope that we can all find a few things to be grateful for each day. Enjoy!
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Thanksgiving Abroad
Where to start...Finding a Turkey (for my husband and guests, of course) was surprisingly easy - thank goodness. The Rewe grocery stores were stocking the birds, but astonishingly no cranberries. Originally we had scheduled a trip to Prague in order to be away and busy on the favorite holiday and to avoid being at our flat thinking about the family & friends back home. However, the trip changed from a Thursday departure to a Friday departure.
So we invited some American friends over and celebrated the holiday with much to be thankful for this year. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, veggie stuffing and all the fixings - missing the cranberries we made due with a pomegranate & orange salad. We even watched part of the hopeless Lions game.
Waking up Thanksgiving morning I felt giddy as I always do around the holiday and instead of thinking about how much I miss my family, my focus shifted to all that I have to be thankful for and how fortunate we were to be able to call and Skype with our families. Not to mention the countless other blessing in my life. We spent the morning relaxing and anticipating the aromas that would soon pervade the flat. The day was wonderful!
Cheers - to having so much to be thankful for in our lives!!!
The holiday season is officially here....
So we invited some American friends over and celebrated the holiday with much to be thankful for this year. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, veggie stuffing and all the fixings - missing the cranberries we made due with a pomegranate & orange salad. We even watched part of the hopeless Lions game.
Waking up Thanksgiving morning I felt giddy as I always do around the holiday and instead of thinking about how much I miss my family, my focus shifted to all that I have to be thankful for and how fortunate we were to be able to call and Skype with our families. Not to mention the countless other blessing in my life. We spent the morning relaxing and anticipating the aromas that would soon pervade the flat. The day was wonderful!
Cheers - to having so much to be thankful for in our lives!!!
The holiday season is officially here....
Friday, October 28, 2011
Leaving Home
Leaving Home...something that I've always wanted to do since my debut as a rebellious teenager. I love my small home town, but I need to wander, to discover the world and myself and in the end find a new appreciation for the magic of my small lakeshore town on the coast of Lake Michigan. Since meeting my husband nearly seven years ago we've always discussed world travel and the possiblities of a short term expartriot contract in various places all over the world. An adventure that we both wanted to undertake and experience.
Last February the opportunity for a three year contract presented itself and by June we were traveling to find a flat and I was traveling to Europe for the first time in my life. Now here we are, over 4,000 miles and an 8 hour flight from home, living in Frankfurt, Germany. There have been numerous happenings, situations, and decisions made since February that have led me to believe in that old saying "everything happens for a reason".
On September 6, 2011 we set out for the adventure of our lives. The plane lifted into the sky at Chicago O'hare Airport - I was leaving home, my family & friends, everything known and familiar to me for the last 27 years of my life. A dream coming true so exciting and bittersweet. It wasn't until we arrived at our flat jet lagged and feeling foreign that it all started to settle in me; the excitement, adventure, anxiety, loneliness, and the finality of all the decisions that we'd made in the last few months. I was uprooted and so far from all that I had ever known, but then it hit me - I may be living in foreign country, on another continent, but the world is such a small place and I am only an 8 hour flight from home. So many thoughts and emotions were swirling about my exhausted being and what I really needed was a cat nap. The soothing comfort of sleep finally set in as I extinguished the anxiety from me with the affirmation of how small the world really is today.
Now Here...Almost two months have passed since our arrival and life is falling into place and the taproots of a new existence are starting to form. I still have yet to call this flat and this place in the world "home", but I know that I will get there. We love our little neighborhood and have had several little adventures so far. One big change - we went from a town of 5,000 with a handful of restaurants to a city of over 680,000 with endless options for restaurants. We are enjoying the adventures.
In a year full of surprises and changes we have yet to face the biggest change....You may wonder how since moving across the world is a giant leap, but in March we will welcome the arrival of our first child! My life sometimes feels like the cliche - when it rains it pours - but I chose to throw down the umbrella and soak up all the raindrops. The purpose of this blog is to share these adventures and all the dancing in the rain.
Last February the opportunity for a three year contract presented itself and by June we were traveling to find a flat and I was traveling to Europe for the first time in my life. Now here we are, over 4,000 miles and an 8 hour flight from home, living in Frankfurt, Germany. There have been numerous happenings, situations, and decisions made since February that have led me to believe in that old saying "everything happens for a reason".
On September 6, 2011 we set out for the adventure of our lives. The plane lifted into the sky at Chicago O'hare Airport - I was leaving home, my family & friends, everything known and familiar to me for the last 27 years of my life. A dream coming true so exciting and bittersweet. It wasn't until we arrived at our flat jet lagged and feeling foreign that it all started to settle in me; the excitement, adventure, anxiety, loneliness, and the finality of all the decisions that we'd made in the last few months. I was uprooted and so far from all that I had ever known, but then it hit me - I may be living in foreign country, on another continent, but the world is such a small place and I am only an 8 hour flight from home. So many thoughts and emotions were swirling about my exhausted being and what I really needed was a cat nap. The soothing comfort of sleep finally set in as I extinguished the anxiety from me with the affirmation of how small the world really is today.
Now Here...Almost two months have passed since our arrival and life is falling into place and the taproots of a new existence are starting to form. I still have yet to call this flat and this place in the world "home", but I know that I will get there. We love our little neighborhood and have had several little adventures so far. One big change - we went from a town of 5,000 with a handful of restaurants to a city of over 680,000 with endless options for restaurants. We are enjoying the adventures.
In a year full of surprises and changes we have yet to face the biggest change....You may wonder how since moving across the world is a giant leap, but in March we will welcome the arrival of our first child! My life sometimes feels like the cliche - when it rains it pours - but I chose to throw down the umbrella and soak up all the raindrops. The purpose of this blog is to share these adventures and all the dancing in the rain.
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