$$ Money $$

Ahhh Money.

**Aparently the name of our new neighbor? If think if we become friends we should teach him how to "make it rain" just like Danny McBride. Go HERE to learn if you also need to learn.

We got a small sum of money deposited into our account from the US Treasury. We aren't sure what for.

Me: "What should we blow this newly found money on??"

Trent: "Just because we get random sums of money deposited into the account we don't have to find something to spend it on."

Me: "I think you misunderstand. You said 'spend money'... I said 'blow money'. Mine means its use should be spent on frivilous things."

Trent: "Like $300 worth of little toy army men?"

Me: "Or rainbows?"

Trent: "Bubbles?"

Me: "A little of all of that?"


We clearly need some better ideas.

Stinging Nettle and Staring Germans

Bosco and I like to go on runs behind the house when the weather cooperates. Actually- he loves to run and I try to like running. So on Tuesday we started out from the house on one of the farming roads that lead to other very small villages.

There was a tractor out doing something behind the house (mowing the sides of said farming roads) and I was prepared for that since I had heard him start around 7 am. So as we were warming up on the first mile I see him in front of us. As I was running faster than he was mowing (YAY!) I told Bosco to heel and attempted to pass him on the left.

For some unknown reason (even though he isn't finished with the row) he makes a turn to the left like he wants to mow the other side. Now- he had seen me coming from behind because I saw him turn and look. I don't know where he thought I had gone when he decided to turn minutes later- but as I was running right up next to him I sort of did a very graceful push-Bosco-into-field-fall-into-stinging-nettle-bushes-to-avoid-tractor-tires move to avoid him.

So I am attempting to pick myself up and check on Bosco when I realize it feels like my legs are bleeding!! It was just the cushy nettle that I fell into leaving welts all over my legs. No bleeding. But it still hurt.

So neighborly German farmer man just stares at me while this is all going down. No "hey are you ok" or "German equivalent"... just stares. It was like he was thinking, "What in the world? Hmmm- what an odd-looking person out here for no good reason! I can't possibly understand why she just fell down!"

The only thing to do was instruct Bosco to bite a hole in his tires and keep running to maintain my dignity and the right to be out there running in the first place. Bosco seemed very unconcerned about the whole thing and went frolicking off into the fields. Dogs are so resilient.

When I got home I showered, cleaned the welts and had an overwhelming urge to call up a nurse working the clinic at Ft. Rucker, AL. Just curious if instead of asking an actual DOCTOR I might get another reading of "The Guide To Wilderness Medicine" and a helpful question such as, "Do you know EXACTLY what kind of stinging nettle it was??"

But they weren't open yet. Oh well.

I google searched "stinging nettle" and actually found out it is quite useful medicinally. I knew it couldn't be that bad since they put it in cheese in Holland (pretty delicious actually!!) Probably COOKED- however.

Check this out!! Stinging Nettle Eating Championship

Bleh.

Saucy!

I think there comes a time when a blog needs to talk about some sauce. Saucy!!

So this past weekend we came home from a long bike ride to a pretty empty fridge. There were a few frozen shrimp entrees- so we nuked one and dove in. Needless to say, the little shrimpy entree wasn't REALLY what we had been expecting.

Enter awesomeness. In the form of hot sauce. It redeemed the entire evening.

"Rooster Sauce" is most amazing. It really does taste good on all Asian food (including sushi!) and a variety of other foods- even pizza!

(See link to humorous blog about said sauce!)



Rooster Sauce

The next noteworthy sauce comes from a previous blog post of mine. Introduced to me by a former boss- this "Bottled Up Anger" is no joke! Good on veggies, rice dishes... even on your finger when you are passing by the fridge and need a little spiceyness! (Don't judge.)

This green chili sauce is the savior of weekend breakfasts. Can you say Huevos Rancheros?!? Since it is not for sale in European commissaries we rely on family in the US for our supply. (God bless them!!)

All you need is some eggs, tortillas, cheese, chorizo, and this 'heaven-in-a-jar'. Maybe a few jalapenos for good measure.

Last but not least- Cholula while you hula! This is best kept at places of employment in large containers- work lunches often need a little help. Thanks for this useful advice Greg!

SIDE NOTE: You Tabasco peeps need to quit your commonplace sauce. Tabasco is only acceptable for raw oysters... and even then it isn't the cat's meow. Give it up. If you HAVE to have your Tabasco- use the Chipotle. Otherwise you don't deserve to be called a connoisseur of sauce!!

Thoughts on Parenting Styles

Ok. So this is an actual duvet cover set in a local store. Upon seeing it I instantly knew two things...

One: A picture needed to be taken immediately.

Two: I need to decide on a parenting style before having children.

After careful consideration (20 min worth) I have decided upon three options.

Parenting Style #1: Complete Honesty

"Well little Timmy, its like this.(Present child with book on actual reproduction from A to Z.) Even though this may be confusing- your mommy and daddy actually did the thing in this book, and because of that mommy carried you in her tummy for a while before going into messy labor, and then we had YOU!! I know this is a lot to take in, but you should know the whole truth. You may be grossed out now under your little illustrated duvet, but this will save you later in life from the embarrassment of confusion and incorrect names for anatomical parts. Let this duvet cover be a lesson to you."

"Also, while we are on the subject of truth, NEVER listen to daddy when he says mommy is stinky. It's really him."

Parenting Style #2: Humor To The Parent/Horror To The Child

"So.... little Timmy you said you wanted a brother or a sister- now you can sleep at night with all of your brother/sister possibilities!! Bahaha!"

"We DID get you- but see this little guy NEXT to you on the pillow? I'm starting to think that one would have been a more obedient child..."

"The Gypsies are in town and you had better behave. Really- now you can see how easy it is for mommy and daddy to replace you!"

"Uniqueness is really subjective... you looked like everyone else in the beginning."

Parenting Style #3: Confusion

"Look Timmy- boys and girls come from pretty balloons! Your balloon just got too big and 'pop!'- out you came!"

"What does it mean? I have no idea- ask your father. It was one of the last duvet sets they had. Do you want me to exchange it for the princess one? No? Then be quiet."

"Well- you see... there are birds and there are bees. But I'm tired- can we talk about this later? You are giving me a headache."

I really think I'm favoring a combo of these options. But I'm open to suggestions.

Book Review #1

So my friends... since I am not returning to online classes until this fall I have been reading for fun. Even though "reading for fun" is a novel idea it seldom happens when "reading to not fail classes" takes over.

I thought since no one is going to be interested in my upcoming "reading to not fail classes" experiences I had better just limit blogging to "reading for fun".

"READING FOR FUN #1!"

Quotes from the book:

"Our words are giants when they do us an injury, and dwarfs when they do us a service."

"Women can resist a man's love, a man's fame, a man's personal appearance, and a man's money, but they cannot resist a man's tongue when he knows how to talk to them."

"Men little know when they say hard things to us how well we remember them, and much harm they do us."

This book caught me from the opening line: "This is the story of what a Woman's patience can endure, and what a Man's resolution can achieve." The book had mystery and character depth- but what I loved most was the little bits of wisdom thrown here and there as the plot unfolded. See the quotes above- don't you agree?!? Hahaha, I think on more than one occasion I read the "nugget of wisdom" parts to Trent but he looked unimpressed.

SIDE NOTE- I would have never been married if I lived back then- I would be a horrible woman all things considered!! I have little patience and I would have always been going off at the mouth! So lucky that I found someone who loves me for modern me. ;)

Our First Weekend in Slovenia

"I feel Slovenia"- its Slovenia's slogan and I can completely understand why! We went this past weekend and it was fantastic... probably the most relaxing vacation since the Smoky Mountains before we left the states.

We stayed in the Julian Alps- below is a picture of Lake Bled. Bled is gorgeous... a castle sits above the town on a cliff, and a picturesque church sits on an island in the middle of the lake. Who can resist?!?

To get out to the island we rented a small rowboat- although Trent did most of the work I tried to help!

Once on the island we went to the Church of the Assumption to ring the lucky bell. Note the directions... men should not attempt to kick women in the face while ringing bell. Noted.

So here I am ringing the lucky bell and trying to get all the luck out. I only was told AFTER that you are supposed to make a wish first! I just thought you'd get some luck... so I might need to go back...

Trent also rang the lucky bell. And didn't kick me in the head.

Our first Slovenian beer- delish!

Next we went to Bled Castle to look around and have dinner. The castle was amazing... great views and a small museum of Slovenian history.

So romantic!

The next day we went to Lake Bohinj. Bohinj is bigger and is much different than Bled. We started with an early am hike to the waterfall- Slap Savica.

A rainbow...

The view from Slap Savica- you can see Lake Bohinj in the distance.

Trent at Lake Bohinj.

 

There are more pictures on facebook- if you don't have facebook let me know and I can email you the rest of the pics! All in all a great weekend. We will be going back for sure- next maybe fly fishing the Emerald Trail or seeing the costal areas in June... but Slovenia is now one of my favorite places!!

Poland

The reason for this trip really began years ago when Trent and I went to pick out new plates from "Blood Bath and Beyond" (as we have nicknamed it). We picked out a set we thought would last, as any newly married couple does, but the dishes soon chipped and discolored. Becoming frustrated, we decided to overhaul our kitchen contents. And SINCE we are in Europe- why not stock up on Polish and Italian pottery??

Starting with Polish pottery.

We did our homework and mapped out a trip to Boleslawiec, Poland, the birthplace of beautiful, hand painted pottery.

But we also wanted to see a bit of Poland and experience the culture. I pictured a quaint little town similar to Germany's Triberg. But we were quite wrong- the town is much larger and MUCH less touristy than we'd thought. It wasn't too bad- but we were somewhat taken aback by the cleanliness and crowded streets.

But making the best of it we found a cute little Polish restaurant. Warm and cozy- we prepared for our first Polish cuisine. And then they brought bread to the table... with a side of lard. Yes... LARD. See picture below.

We put some on a knife to be sure... I really thought we had to be mistaken. But no, just a nice helping of pure animal fat. And what was even more interesting- the locals all loved it! We watched as they lathered it on big hunks of bread and then topped the lard with a spoonful of sugar.

**Yuck**

But other than that the food was great!

Below- Yummy Polish dishes! Gołąbki (cabbage rolls filled with meat and rice), pierogis, and a delish chicken "pancake".

The unexpectedness did not end with the meal. We checked in to our hotel which has now won the award for "Most Random Hotel Room Ever".

See below that the "sitting room" has both a piano and a massaging chair. There were also a few china cabinets with crystal cups and other items one might place into a china cabinet found in a hotel room.

The bedroom was behind this room, enclosed by cardboard partitions. But other than an odd smell it was clean and we woke to a yummy breakfast. (Travel tip- take travel candle and matches. Helps more than you'd think!)

The next day we went to the city of Wroclaw and looked about. We didn't take any pictures... but it wasn't a very nice place. The tour books can be very deceiving at times.

So, Poland- check.

How `bout that Italian pottery??

Bearlin

 Bearlin! A great way to tour the city of Berlin- by BEAR!

See? Even Trent got into the spirit of Bearlin. Well... a little, anyway.

Germany! Here goes...

 So! Germany. Here we are. Settled into a house in a TINY village, Trent hard at work, and several European cities on the list to visit. As Francis Bacon once said (as quoted on the Celestial Seasonings chamomile tea box), "Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education; in the elder, a part of experience."

Thus begins our education of Europe and it's history.

I will be updating this blog with our travels and pictures (so for those of you without facebook pay attention!). See below our TINY village- home base.

Our dog Bosco, the "welcome" mat in our driveway.

Below- Trent and I in Strasbourg, France

More to follow!!

FINALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey..... internet!!!!

After almost 6 months of no internet, the drought is over! I can't even being to say how happy this makes me! Not that having internet is everything, but it sure helps one feel connected. AND it is too late for me to get in on the current semester, but I can register for summer now!

At some point I will upload some pics and new posts- but now its off to surf the web!

Woohooo!!!!!