Oktoberfest 2011

Just like the lebkuchen we got in Germany's Nuremburg Christkindlmarkt.
There was good participation in the chicken dance.

This little liebling reminded me of our Sarah at that age.
Aren't they cute?  They're a yearly fixture.

fraulein
He marched to all of the songs and little sister followed like a shadow.  It was so sweet.

The girls did a great job with the maypole dance
as shown by their completed weaving

Whee!

A little violin solo of "Eidelwiss"
A cute group including 2 expectant mommies

The girls picked their partners from the circle of boys

Pretty hops
Townsquare

We ventured up the hill to the Weiner dog races

and to listen to The Voices of Hope concert in the beautiful St Mary's Parish Church.

I love the strong sense of community at Mt. Angel.  It warms my heart to hear the locals greet one another by name as they pass one another amidst the throngs of visitors.  It was nice to be able to share Oktoberfest with Sarah and her family this year.  Of our girls, she has the most memories and emotional attachment to Bavaria/Germany from when we lived there.  It was like stepping back in time; seeing her blonde, braided hair, daughter in a shop, admiring a dirndl set for her doll.  I found some more candles for our Christmas pyramid. (They're kind of a tricky size.)  Seeing all of the hops adorning the booths, reminded  me to pick some of ours and bring in the house.  I usually forget about them until they're spoiled by the fall rains. I'm enjoying them on the dining chandy.

School Days

The little Farmgirl started Kindergarten this week. She's now a big girl and rides the bus with her big Sister. (Kindergarteners little legs going up schoolbus steps always make me teary.)

I gave them some special back- to- school apples for an after school snack yesterday.

Corn Chowder

Fall is in the air, we had stopped at the country produce market, and picked up some corn. Perfect for some of Sarah's corn chowder.

Corn Chowder

1 &1/2 lb. boneless chicken breast

1/2c. chopped onion

2 cloves minced garlic

3 Tbsp. butter

2 chicken boullion cubes

1 c. hot water

1 tsp. cumin

2c. half & half

2 c. shredded Monterey Jack Cheese

1 16oz can creamed corn (I used the fresh corn)

1 4oz can chopped green chilis (undrained)

1/4 - 1 tsp Tabasco sauce

1/2 c. salsa

Cut chicken & brown with onion, garlic, & butter. Dissolve boullion in hot water. Add to pot with cumin. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer 5 minutes. Add the rest of ingredients, up to the salsa. Cook over low heat stirring frequently. Stir in Salsa before serving.

Rub-a-dub-dub

I love watching them interact. They came over and hung out awhile after Ashi's kindergarten assessment, waiting for the school bus to get here with big sister. Liliana Kate got a sponge bath on a fluffy towel next to the kitchen sink. She's so tiny and so sweet. I totally understand why Anna is savoring every minute with her, before having to go back to work!

Labor Day Weekend

We went to Mom and Dad's. Dot was there from Salt Lake City. Mom is recovering sooooo well from her latest surgery, 2 weeks ago, now. Such a wonderful answer to prayer! It was a good weekend....Unbelievable....not one picture taken. We did our usual ....laughing....laughing...more laughing. New finds, fun, and flavor. Had a blast sharing Pinterest with Dot, late at night, and just cracking up! After Mom's awesome Dr.'s appt. (don't ya love a good report?), had a good lunch with Mom and Dot at Hola!, munchin' tortilla chips, and Peruvian "Culantro Sauce."

On the way home, Jim and I stopped in Sisters at Bronco Billy's. He had Billy's barbequed ribs and I had an absolutely, yum,yum,yummers "Caballero" burger. It had guacamole and salsa, and was so flavorful.
And then we had one last "Hurrah!" We shared a Marionberry Shortcake, with Three Sisters Vanilla icecream, dessert with each other.. Oh.....My......sooooooo good.

Lightning strikes have started fires everywhere. Am so grateful for Hot Shot crews, and pray for their safety. The terrain is so treacherous in places, I can't even imagine doing their job.

Liliana Kate

6 lbs. 14 oz of Sweetness.

"Peek-a-boo"
"She has dark curly hair, just like me!"



First diaper



You are loved!

Night Glow 2011

I called Sarah awhile back, and asked if they would be interested in joining us this year for the Art and Air Festival. I thought she would enjoy a photo op. Tori thought it sounded fun, and has wanted us to take them to it, ever since she found out we had taken Josie and Matthew a few years back. Sarah and the kids met us at Costco, and we all had a "spendy" supper! The nightglow this year didn't seem as good to me, as when we had gone before. There seemed to be lots more people, noise, and alcohol consumption. The actual balloon night glow portion didn't seem to last as long, or seem as dramatic. We kept an ear open for a call from Anna saying "it was time for a baby", but it never came. My favorite part of the night was listening to Josie and the girlies singing pop songs together in the back seat on the way home. The couches and beds were full as they all spent the night.....short as it was.

Gotcha!

I know what ya mean Violet. A million years ago, He captured my heart singing to me too! Saturday, while we were Kate's, Violet was fussing. Jim was holding her, and started singing to her. She calmed right down and just stared into his eyes. We got to watch the kiddos play on their new play structure. They're going to have so much fun with that, so happy for them.
We went to IKEA earlier that morning, had breakfast (love to get tender Swedish pancakes) and picked up some things for the craft studio.

Weekend Wonders

We went to my folk's this weekend. It was a fun time of garage sale-ing with Dad, and a relaxing walk through the garden with Mama. I love love love the aqua blue melamine cup hanging on the tree. It's from our family dishes when i was a girl. In the summer we would pour kool-aid in the cups, stick spoons in, and freeze 'em for popsicles.