Saved from the holocaust . . .

http://www.porcelainunicorn.com/

I couldn't believe how much impact was in this three-minute movie! It certainly showed that the unexpected surprises in life can change a future. You won't forget it soon if ever!

From seedlings to harvest in 2010 . . .

My husband's gardening efforts paid off in 2010. Again, he has the seedlings growing under a timed light in the garage and we are hoping that our harvest is as abundant. I still have a couple of bags of tomatoes and frozen peaches in the freezer. Here's praying I can replace them with what God and lots of work give us this year. Please note that Chick, in spite of our best efforts, found her way inside the garden and was taking a break from her own tomato harvesting . . . until we caught her!

Quilt sorting day . . .

 
I'm dusting off my sewing machine and getting my quilt pictures, fabric, and patterns in order so I can start off with some organization in my life. Also, getting some of my quilt pictures posted so I can make room for pictures of newer quilts. I'm rather addicted to making quilts and, at last count, I have something like 30-plus completed quilts on hand. That is not counting the two or three each of us have on our beds.

I was an art major in college and I'm thinking that I rechanneled my creativity into more of a 'mommy' hobby as the children came along. I'm now down to only one of the four left in the nest . . . but I'm still focused on quilts.

Capturing that bakery frosting taste . . .

Several friends have told me that while they can bake a presentable cake, coming up with a tasty frosting seems to allude them. This recipe seems to be fool proof AND good tasting, too. I like the fact that you can make it ahead of time.

Easy Frosting

2 cups shortening
1/2 cup powdered nondaily creamer
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
32 ounces powdered sugar
Approximately 1/2 cup water

Place the shortening, creamer and extracts in a large mixing bowl and beat into very smooth. Slowly add in the powdered sugar, beating well. Only use enough water to reach a good spreading consistency. At this point, you can add food coloring if you desire.

It can be stored in the refrigerator for a month or so which makes it really handy for those last-minute notices from your children that they need a dozen cupcakes for school . . . now!

Trying to go with the seasons . . . and the news reports!

We had some very warm, humid weather in Munich, last week. Was it only last week, already? Anyway, that seemed out of sinc for Germany. We came home to a lot cooler weather in California and have thoroughly enjoyed the overcast, chill of Spring. Sure, it warms up in the afternoon but anything under 100 degrees tends to seem cool to Southern Califonria residents. We are bracing for the triple digits of summer but are thankful that we are blessed with such beautiful weather right now.

After spending most of the day, yesterday, trying out four, new cookie recipes, I'm back to sewing today. I have an order for some tote bags and have two gift ones to make and send off next week. My upcoming treat of the weekend? A trip to the fabric warehouse on Monday! No, I don't really need fabric but half the fun is discovering something you didn't KNOW you needed!

The e-coli problems in Germany are certainly worrisome. We were still over there when they began. Between the e-coli outbreak and the Iceland volcano going off, again, it certainly added some adventure to our vacation. We initially thought about trying to leave a few days early in the wake of the flight concellations and such. After talking it over with my husband (Phone cards are wonderful when keeping in touch overseas!), we figured that if we tried to get out during the height of the volcano excitement, we would probably find outselves sitting around the airport for three days whereas if we waited and left on our scheduled flight, we'd most likely not run into problems. We didn't want to give up a single day of vacation and waited and got home without a hitch with either our flight or rescheduling.

When I initially heard that the e-coli was linked to cucumbers, I had to wonder about just thoroughly washing them and peeling them before eating. Turned out that cucumbers were not the culprit but only after they sent out the panic news and tons of the produce was dumped. The next thought was bean sprouts. Again, I had to wonder if all of the 2,000-plus that got sick and/or died, actually ate the bean sprouts. Bean sprouts are not usually a staple on the German dinner table. Yes, there are Asian restaurants but they are in the minority compared to other ones. Last I heard, the bean sprouts tested negative. I read in the news, yesterday, that since the EU recommended that people not eat bean sprouts, cucumbers, and tomatoes, all these farmers are now hurting. One company that raise tomatoes said his produce tested negative yet he has had to dump tons of some of the best harvest he has ever raised.

You have to hope that the powers that be can prove enough basis for all the 'recommendations' they have come out with that have destroyed so many people's income this year. Seems to me, in my small, humble opinion, a common thread should be found amond the sick and deceased to see what they all ate. From my sideline view, the EU jumped on the bandwagon a little sooner than they had solid facts.

Never the less, we have to remember all these people in our prayers. It is a sad thing to have your health ruined or lose a loved one because you just prepared them a meal that unknowingly included the unwanted e-coli.

Personally, I always rinse my greens and vegetables in a vinegar bath, rinse with water, and then a hydrogen peroxide soak, and water rinse before using.

The Netherlands . . .

So, what is your first clue that we might be in The Netherlands? Windmills, anyone? I didn't really realize how much went on in The Netherlands during the war. A lot of the area was flooded by the Germans to prevent attacks on the ground. The witness who spoke with us said that the earth is constantly changing and, to this day, bodies from the war still turn up as well as shells and such from the battles.

Nijmegen, Netherlands

 

Pictures from our visit to the City of Nijmegen, Netherlands. Views of the area where the Allies attempted to end the war quickly through Operation Market Garden. After a drive around the area involved in the Operation Market Garden, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the National Liberation Museum. We had two 'witnesses' of the war who lived in and around Nijmegen and shared their personal stories with us.

Dessert Memories . . .

When you book a package tour that includes meals, you don't usually expect anything except basic food to get you from one guided tour to the next. Much to our surprise, all the meals on our trip were more than excellent. We almost looked forward to eating than sightseeing . . . almost!

One of our fellow tourists took pictures of every meal put n front of her. I wish I had taken her lead as it is hard to remember them all now. However, this dessert demanded a picture and I'm glad I have it to look back on and remember.

Hey, I can relate to these quotes!

"The only thing that sustains one through life is the consciousness of the immense inferiority of everybody else, and this is a feeling that I have always cultivated."
       -- Oscar Wilde

 

"Sanity calms, but madness is more interesting."
       -- John Russell

 

"I take the view, and always have, that if you cannot say what you are going to say in twenty minutes you ought to go away and write a book about it."
       -- Lord Brabazon

Current news gives credence to past quotes . . .

Politics: A strife of interests masquerading as a contest of principles.

Ambrose Bierce