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!

Dia De Los Muertos Party

Just about to leave for our former neighbors' Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) party. This is their 2nd annual, I believe. It will be strange to see our former house across the street! Ryan has a migraine though and I'm not sure if he's coming with me. :( I hope he does...I leave tomorrow for Norfolk (only 1 night) and it's going to mean we don't have the day together. I also went to my first baby shower today -- it was actually a lot of fun. I got to decorate a onesy with puffy paint!

Halloween is only a few days away -- I am very excited! We'll be having "steak bites" which is a play on dracula...steak that you poke with a stake to eat. Har har!

Tschüß!