The Pumpkin Weekend.

Last Saturday AND Sunday, we went to the Kürbis Fest in Hitscherhof. We got a taste of pumpkin cake and spiced apple wine, and of course I left with a few hand-crafted goodies.  Friends, Christina and Geoff and their 4 kids, (well, 5 if you count their 100 lb. Newfoundland dog) came along.  Made for a fun afternoon on Sunday!   

I'm discovering that the greatest things about traveling and visiting little events such as this one, is eating the food!  Local treats and drinks...it's all amazing.  One must have a willing palate, and it has resulted in new tastes and culinary inspirations for me.

My favorite cake was a savory green pumpkin, coffee tort with a lemon icing. Yum.  I miss canned Libby's Pumpkin Puree, so I suppose if I'm motivated enough (which after this weekend I am) making my own pumpkin mash will need to be done.  

So, if any of you, my lovely readers, have delicious pumpkin dessert recipes, I'll take 'em!  I only have one recipe, from the Fabulous Natasha Koch Kitchen, and it's pretty much the most amazing thing I've ever eaten in my entire life. I eat it all.  Down to the last crumb.  By myself.   

Okay!  Now drooling.  Rabbit trail, sorry.  Moving on, have a look at some pictures of the weekend.

I am in LOVE with anything and all things that have to do with owls.  I want my own Hedwig.  This one looks either sleep-dreprived, doped up, or very angry.  Either way, it made me laugh and is still dreadfully cute.  (Notice baby owl in lower left!  Eeee!)

And we couldn't figure out what this woolen thing was...a hat seemed the most appropriate, at the moment...




 It was all quite lovely!  Festive and fun, it put me in the mood for cozy cable sweaters, hot drinks, harvest time, and chilly nights.

I know it's midweek already, I apologize for the late posting.  But I just had to share some of the weekend with you!


Love you all so much,
Christine

(one random side note, I really like ivy.  This was too pretty!)

Permanent Chalkboard

Every time I visit a home decor wesite or my all-time favorite Vivaterra, I remember how badly I want a large CHALKBOARD.

You know, the kinds you see in sweet little kitchens, bistros and cafes.

Then I notice the price, and consider making my own or just living without.  Choosing the latter, I hadn't thought about searching for one in a while.  And to be sincere, I had serious doubts that I'd use the blackboard as often as a Schoolmarm or menu-planning Sous Chef.  

However, new inspiration has come along!  Psalm 1 is one of those chapters in the Bible that can (and should!) form a family's lifestyle.  Who would want to erase that off a chalkboard?!


So I painted it on.

On canvas, of course.  

 


"firmly planted" is my favorite part of this verse.

Yesterday while walking Boomer and Wrigley I walked through a grove of apple trees, chock-full of fruit.  Delicious, white fleshed, red veined apples.  Of course, all within arm's reach, the tree had been plucked clean of apples.  I wasn't the only one enjoying it!  Well, I was reminded of this part of the verse...clearly, these trees were solid.  Planted firmly.  Producing (very tasty) fruit.

And I so want to be like that!


A firmly grounded, strong rooted, fruit producing family.
So, I'm glad I can't erase this one...it's a daily reminder for me to plug into God's Word, and glean the most out of Scripture.

So, that was my weekend project.

Thought I'd add one picture in which Boomer insisted on being in.  This is his after-dinner routine...sniffing for crumbs on the kitchen floor.  Never fails.  Every single night.  A little distortion going on in this shot, but it's classic Boomer, and I thought you all might enjoy it :)

Have a beautiful weekend, friends!  

Five Germans. And Water.

I LOVE baptism services.  Big time.  Our church had one this past Sunday, and it was such a celebration, I've thought about it all week.  I had the privilege to view it through my camera's lens; it was fun hiding behind reeds while snapping shots of these 5 amazing men and women of faith.  Just hearing their testimonies, and seeing their devotion and love for God, kept my eyes moist throughout the morning.  Nate and I were the only Americans there, and singing along in our broken bits of "German-glish", felt a little bit of what I think Heaven will be like! Here's a couple collages of the pictures I took that day.

I was reminded of my baptism, in 1996; it was such a life-changing event for me, and I know it was for these people too.  Singing "I have decided to Follow Jesus" at Glendale church...definitely a memory never to forget.

Making your faith known in such a way as baptism, is a major event!  Seeing the expressions on their faces was priceless...there was SO much joy in the air.  Needless to say, we had a very happy day on Sunday.  We really love our little church in Ramstein!