2009/12/06

Autumn Goodness and #300

It's taken a while to get this one up - but since it officially is post #300 - hiphorray!! I started this blog in September 2006, while we were planning our first trip to Germany - and really kicked into it in the six-month afterglow. Now, it's become an ongoing spreading funnel that captures our various crazy interests in Germany.

I'll admit, that's expanded to include other favorite European cultures: Slovenia, Northern Italy, England, and more. For instance, I'm reading a few books: one is a historical travel essay on the Balkans immediately following the early 90s wars there. The other is a historical spy fiction novel, circa 1938, that currently is displaying the depths of immigrant Parisian culture.

There is a theme here - it's not trying to be who you are not. It's falling in love with specifically what you are not and adding it in - if it fits - like trying on and then buying the clothes. If you looked at my 3-ring binder of recipes, you'd see exactly what I'm talking about.

With that said...a few randoms from this Autumn...

Poffertjes
We feel in love with these little delightful heavenly pastry pancakes in Amsterdam, at a cafe near our hotel (by Westerkirche). We found a pan at Williams Sonoma, Ryan attacked the recipe, and heavenly eating ensued...





Oktoberfest!
While rain ditched our chances to head out to Fredericksburg for their official Oktoberfest, our friends Melissa and Spencer hosted one at their house! The food was delicious and we made Spätzle - homemade, of course - and created through our manual Spätzle maker. Who thinks that trying to squeeze a very bouncy dough through essentially a flat colander that is perched above a big pot of boiling water on a hot gas stove only to get a handful of heavenly dumplings is fun?? We do!





Isaac and the Wine Rack
Often, friends ask if Isaac can talk or if he's really as intelligent as they say. As a proud papa, I think he's very smart! Smart enough to know what things frustrate the heck out of us and lately, it's when he climbs down his cage and jumps on the floor, then runs over to the wine rack, and takes up residence. He thinks it's hilarious but will nip ferociously and growl if you try to pull him out. Rooowrll! I love our little green guy.



Oktober
Not only did we have a beautiful Fall in Austin, but we had plenty of fall activities that made it extra special - two pumpkin carving events, a great Halloween night in (one trick-or-treater...humph), and Nightcrawler Noodles for dinner. They rocked!





So, that wraps up Post #300. I have some Slovenian cooking tips queued up soon!

Tschüß!

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2009/02/14

Photo Recap: Days 12-14, Amsterdam (Europe 2008)

From my journal:

We arrived late - many trains seemed to be running behind - and made our journey to the hotel on tram. Immediately, you are in a beautiful town of great old buildings. Picturesque canals and bikes everywhere. You are also in the center for early 20s hostel travellers looking for a good time. Chance brought us to Amsterdam, so we had no expectations really.

We ritualistically dropped off our bags [at the hotel] and in moments were on the streets hunting for food at 10 p.m. There weren't too many options, places were closing, and we were suffering from not having seen the city in the day.

So we settled - and I swear that I am still paying for it - we went to McDonald's for a 15 euro meal that really wasn't terrific and gave me such terrible [stomach pains] for two days. Ugh!

How romantic...our 12 year anniversary and most of it was on a train and dinner the first night at McDonald's and the second night at a Chinese takeout. Very dutch?

Doesn't matter because we found the cutest place for breakfast the next morning (after only one expensive beer on the Dam plaza) and returned there the next day.


Yes, we did the Red Light district - which was just annoying because of the fake drug pushers - as well as the Rijksmuseum, sobering Anne Frank House, and the Heineken factory tour. But our favorite part was that cafe, around the block from our hotel, and the brief break before the day.





Click here for more viewing options.

That concludes the photo recap of our 2008 Europe trip! In honor of our friend Silvia, who has transferred to Milan, I've updated my feature door (upper right) to a clean, modern Milanese door. Ciao ciao ciao ciao ciao.

Tschüß!!

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2008/12/14

Ciao Europe

Heading to the airport now, we will miss you Europe!

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2008/12/13

At the Heineken Brewery

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Last night in Amsterdam

Quite an international mixup here, but we are both sad to leave yet
happy to come home and see our babies.

Saw the Anne Frank house (we both cried), many Rembrants at the
Reiksmuseum, and toured the Heinekin brewery. Then topped off with a
few at a local bar and are back and ready to sleep.

It has been a long but incredible journey that would have not been
possible without the care and love of temporary Austinites Rich and
Sandy. I think they know more about our city than we do and can't wait
to see them. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!

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ryan has sent you a video message - recorded at the Heineken Experience, Amsterdam

Hello ryan,

You have received a video message from the Heineken Experience, Amsterdam.

View your video here

Videomails will be deleted after 2 months.

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Scottandryan has sent you a photo message - recorded at the Heineken Experience, Amsterdam

Hello Scottandryan,

You have received a photo from the Heineken Experience, Amsterdam.

View your photo here

Photomails will be deleted after 2 months.

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scott sent a video mail from the Anne Frank House

 
scott recorded a video message for you in the Anne Frank House.

Click on the link below to watch the video message. If the link does not work, copy and paste it in your browser's address bar.
 
  http://annefrank_engels.bitmove.tv:80/bitmove/annefrank_engels/index.jsp?uid=B9F436EA0C26B5139D544673FE2E05EA&format=wmv
 
 
Also, go to the leaf that scott left in the virtual Anne Frank Tree.
 

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scott sent a video mail from the Anne Frank House

 
Dear scott,

You left a leaf in the Anne Frank Tree and sent a video mail when you visited the Anne Frank House.

Click on the link below to watch your video message. If the link does not work, copy and paste it in your browser's address bar.
 
  http://annefrank_engels.bitmove.tv:80/bitmove/annefrank_engels/index.jsp?uid=B9F436EA0C26B5139D544673FE2E05EA&format=wmv
 

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From our hotel window

Can you believe it? Westmarkt church, canals, bikes, so cool. Just
woke, great night of sleep, ready to take on Amsterdam!

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2008/12/12

Hotel staircase #2

Looking down...

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Our hotel staircase

Seriously, it's like climbing a ladder!!

Oh, and other than the drug pushers, the red light district is quite
interesting, like being in Vegas...but it's all serious! Strange.

We're retiring early to make the most of our day in Amsterdam. Unlike
the Slovenes and Ryan, I have no resemblance to the Dutch, really.

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