I Don't Think She Liked It

One of my new found friends just couldn't wait for pie. She dashed into the kitchen, afraid that something was going to make the pies disappear. She didn't believe me that I really made two pies.

My handsome, long suffering husband, Spousal Unit. He, being always the gentleman waits patiently for the possibility of a sliver of pie.

Behold the pies. I really did make two.

I don't think my gal pal likes the pie. She even got some on her nose.

I know she doesn't like crust. Some of the crust must have gotten mixed in with the pie.

I don't think she liked it. Do you?

Family, Friends, Food and Boys and Their Toys

Our host, hostess, and mom of the host, on her first visit to Germany. OMG... Shirley, the mom is one excited Grandma, and mom. Four little girls to spoil for two weeks, a little bit of travel and shopping are planned.

The Munchkins. I asked them to give me their best silly faces. They complied and then said to stop taking pictures 'cause they were hungry. Something about getting back into the kitchen and finishing the cooking.

The table. It was laden with awesome goodness. I went back for seconds. Spousal Unit had fourths.

Ah... here we have very happy Munchkins. FOOD. The German fest table is just the right size for the Munchkins. Normally the fest tables hold very large mugs of beer. I am really glad the Munchkins didn't ask for the usual.

Oh and lest we forget. The boys must have their toys. I guess the Thanksgiving day game isn't on yet.

Giving Thanks

I am thankful that my family is healthy.

I am thankful that I am finally here with Spousal Unit.

I am thankful that I have new found friends with whom we will spend the holiday.

I am thankful that I have old friends who invited my boys to spend the day with them.

I am thankful that even though I no longer have a job, we are not suffering.

I am thankful that I have wood for my stove.

I am thankful that if I can't get the stove lit I can to turn up the electricity if desired.

I am thankful to be given the opportunity to have new adventures in my life.

I am thankful that Spousal Unit, after almost 30 years still want to be a part of those adventures.

I am thankful.

Thanksgiving ala Maxine

Enjoy. To you and yours have a lovely Thanksgiving.

Watch Out Waist I'm Cooking Again

Right now I am just returning from the commissary (military grocery store). The place was packed, as I knew it would be. I drove around the parking lot for 20 minutes before I found a parking spot.

Here in Germany, on the bases, grabbing a parking spot is a learned talent. On most days it pays to get to where ever you are going as soon as the store opens, or even prior to the opening, just to get a parking spot.

If the possibility of an early arrival is not feasible, you learn to lurk and hover. You drive slowly around the lot and wait for a shopper to come out of the store. Follow the shopper to the parked car, put on the turn signal and wait till all the purchases are loaded and the shopper pulls out. Quickly pull into the newly vacated spot before someone steals the spot and proceed on about your business.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, every spouse in this corner of the world was there. Hence the crammed lot.

I just needed to pick up a few things. I really should know by now not to go to the grocery store when I am hungry. I just needed some Fritos scoops and a couple cans of chili (chili cheese dip) for a dish that I am making for the potluck luncheon tomorrow.

Well, once there I picked up the finishing touches for the day after Thanksgiving dinner I am making Spousal Unit. We are invited to spend the actual holiday with new found friends. But I want leftovers. So I am going to cook a full dinner on Friday.

I am making my famous coconut cream pie for taking to the Thanksgiving dinner, but felt that wasn't enough, so I bought some more eggs to make deviled eggs to take also.

Then I got a craving for my chili cheese casserole (totally different dish than the dip) for dinner tonight. Which meant that I needed to buy cheese and get some salsa fixings. You can't have chili cheese casserole without homemade salsa. I also needed to get sour cream for the tacos to go with the casserole.

You get the point. Everything kinda snowballed and we now have a very well stocked pantry and fridge.

Watch out waist I'm cooking again.

Guten Appetit

We opted to go to Spousal Unit's favorite Greek joint for dinner this weekend. Restaurant Athens. He started with the retsina. Retsina is a Greek white wine that tastes like Pine Sol because it is aged in pine casks. Served very cold, the taste grows on you. Like a fungus. Actually, after a glass or two it isn't too bad. But it is definitely an acquired taste.

I chose to have a pils. Bright, crisp, and tasty. I love a good German pils.

Our salads came at just the right time. I was hungry.

For the main course we both chose souvlaki. A shish kabob, grilled to perfection. The meat is pork and so tender and succulent that it had to have been brined. I need to ask next time we go there.

I also decided that I wanted spaetzle (Egg noodles, boiled and then sauteed in butter) rather than the normal pommes frites. (French fries). The white sauce is tzaziki. A yogurt, cucumber, garlic sauce. The sauce was OK, but I like my home made better.

And no, I didn't eat it all.

New Friends, Good Times, And Of Course....

I am starting to get excited about Thanksgiving. We are in a new place, but have received an invitation to share dinner with a couple of gal pals and their families.

I meet with the new gal pals, usually once a week for coffee. I am unofficially the newest, favoritest, most wonderful Aunt "She Who" to their munchkins.

I am looking forward to visiting with new friends, good times, and of course...