Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas {#dairyfree} & Cross Country Skiing at Teacup {#MtHood #Oregon}

Happy New Year, friends!  Does it still count?  Did you have a good start into the New Year?  We certainly did - all chill just the four of us having Raclette, sparkling apple juice for the ladies and other sparkling for the adult units,  an eating break of firecrackers with friends, more Raclette, plus dessert…So who it to midnight?  Well, ahm it is time yet once again to show my true colors friends.  I have not made it to midnight in ions.  Yes,  I kid you not…it just has not happened I fall asleep.  So again all of us were soundly asleep by 10:30pm and woke up in 2015.  But hey,  it was already 2015 in Europe and on the east coast so technically we made it :)

New Years Day was spent lazily around the house but on the third day of 2015 we finally moved.  Yes,  the girls started their Cross Country Ski Lessons at Teacup Nordic up on Mt. Hood with perfect snow and weather.  Yay -  finally a full winter skiing season is ahead of us; let's just say that the entire family is excited.  The girls love their class, and the adults get to spend time on skis outdoors as well.  Winters past I have always regretted not spending enough time in the snow, especially since it is so close…right?!  We can be up at Teacup in a little over an hour so yes,  we have to take advantage of it. Can you tell that I am excited about this?  And I am even more, as in much more excited, that both girls love to cross country ski including our not so excited hiker, MiaRose :) her favorite part is - can you guess it - is my least favorite part and that is going downhill on the trails…

Now what does any of this have to do with Black Eyed Peas aka Hopping John?  It is a New Year and usually we eat Hopping John on New Years Day but it did not happen this year.  So on Saturday in the morning before we headed up to Mt. Hood at 8 am I threw (almost) everything into the slow cooker anticipating a hot meal on our return from the mountain…let's say I was a little nervous but by the time we arrived back home dinner was almost ready plus the house smelled absolutely delicious.  Yay!!! - We put on the rice and ate within the hour...

Slow Cooker Black Eyed Peas

• 2 C Black Eyed Peas, soaked over night
• 5-6 C water 
• 1  medium sized ham hock
• 1 Tb Olive Oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, cleaned and chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped  
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 Bayleaf
• Salt, pepper, optional -> cayenne, hot sauce to taste

1. Place drained, soaked black eyed peas in your slow cooker
2. Place ham hock on top of the black eyed peas - press down
3. Heat up olive oil in a sauté pan and quickly sauté the vegetables together with paprika until onions turn translucent.
4. Pour vegetables over the black eyed peas and mix under them
5. Place bay leaf on top
6. Pour water over the black eyed peas until they are completely covered {the ham hock will still stick out}
7. Cover.  Cook on low heat for 6 hours and have fun
8. Upon your return, remove ham hock from black eyed peas and add salt, pepper and/or optional flavors to taste.
9. Serve on a bed of rice.

It's Hood #Strawberry Season & #Recipe for Strawberry Dutch Baby #Pancake {#Dairyfree}

Let me tell you about all the blog posts I have written in the last couple of weeks…ahhhhm setuugxfzhfcf, yes you are right there have not been very many lately.  Okay, I admit time has been at a premium in our little green house and it is hard to keep up.  However,  I have written many, many posts in my head but just have not managed to get them out on paper screen.  Will someone please invent a device that let's you transpose posts straight from the mind to a blog post?!

Anyway, exciting things are happening in the Willamette Valley and you know what it is?  Yes,  Hood Strawberries are in season;  the sweetest most amazing strawberry ever.  We first learned about this varietal when moving to Oregon twelve years ago, before that a strawberry to me was a strawberry.  Yes, this is the most delicious strawberry you will ever meet and you can never have too much…

So it will not be much of a surprise for you to hear that it is has become a tradition to go strawberry picking each year. It is fun, and it is so important for children to learn where our food comes from, that it does not magically gets placed into pint boxes and that it takes a lot of work…

In past years we have been picking at various farms on Sauvie Island but this year we decided on a change of pace and went out to visit Unger Farms in Cornelius. Let me tell you it was not only fantastic strawberry picking but also pretty, with the pluses of a small playground and nice little cafe where both girlies enjoyed a strawberry lemonade each...

Now we have 20+ pounds of Hood Strawberries.  Some already made it into jam,

many others made it into the freezer {tip ~ freeze them first individually on cookie sheets before transferring them to freezer bags},

some become delicious accents for salad and vinaigrette,

while others became part of

Strawberry Dutch Baby

•  3 Tb Earth Balance, cut into chunks (or other "butter" of your choice)
•  1 C    flour
•  1 C    Almond Milk (or other  "milk" of your choice
•  4 eggs
•  1 C strawberries cut into chunks
•  Powdered sugar
• 1 pint strawberries sliced and add a sprinkle of sugar if needed

1. Place "butter" in cast iron pan.
2. Place pan in oven and preheat the oven to 425F (yes, pan should be in the oven when you preheat it)
3. While the oven is preheating with the pan in it prepare the batter
4. Mix flour, "milk", and eggs together until you have a smooth batter. Add 1 C of strawberry chances to the batter.
5. When the oven is preheated carefully remove the pan and pour the batter  into the pan.  Place the pan back into the oven and bake for 20 - 25 minutes.
6. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar.  
7. Serve with a side of fresh cut strawberries

Bring to the table and serve right away as the pancake will deflate as it cools :)

Enjoy!!!

Pumpkin Patch #Fun in #Oregon

It seems that all my posts are written in my head lately and do not make to the keyboard....but now finally :)

I love fall - as I do all other seasons - but one of my favorite things about it is all the beautiful colors and especially orange.  The color orange just makes me happy;  this girl may have gotten herself an orange purse on vacation - so yes, orange is the color that makes me happy and to me there is nothing quite like a field of pumpkins basting in the sun.  So pretty - and yes, we all love, love, love to go to the Pumpkin Patch.

The visit to the Pumpkin Patch is special and something we do at least once every October; growing up in Germany we did not celebrate Halloween and pumpkins were something I saw occasionally on the market - so let's just say that I have fully embraced this wonderful American tradition.  You may remember that my sister Kati was visiting us and you know what?  She had never been to a Pumpkin Patch either - so there was really no question about what were going to do :)  Yes...Pumpkin Patch - this year we went out to Rasmussen Farms in Hood River {in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge}.  The Pumpkin Patch on Sauvie Island is our usual spot - but it had been raining so hard that we imagined the fields being way too muddy {yes, there is such a thing :)}.   Let me tell you, it was worth the drive - take a look....

Plus not only is there a wonderful themed corn maze, but also pumpkin fun land and the most amazing views of Mt. Adams as well as Mt. Hood. Let me just say that we had so much fun....

...now you know that there will be a post on making Jack-O Lantern's out of our beautiful pumpkins, right?! Stay tuned...

Fun at the Portland Saturday Market {Halloween is here soon}

We did have a lot of fun at the Portland Saturday Market - and no, the rain does not keep us away.  We are Oregonians :)

Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup = memories of a castle hike {Hocheppan Alto Adige}

Oh the sweet memories of vacation...I am so glad that it is still summer, giving me time to recreate this delicious syrup.  Minty - yet lemony Mint & Lemon Balm Syrup; good things both are growing like weeds in our yard :)  The girls first taste of this delicious drink was at our hike to Hocheppan, Sued Tirol {Alto Adige}.  Let me just say it was a well deserved break - we hiked down a very steep canyon from Perdonig to Hocheppan then after a break continued on to Schloss Boymont and then back to Gasthof Steinegger our hotel. This was the longest, most difficult hike of our trip however it was so worth it; as a side note if you go on this hike be sure to wear sturdy shoes :).

Now take  a look at the castle {can you find Alena}....

There are not that many pictures of our hike as -
shame on me - the battery ran out -> ooops for not charging the battery properly....but Ron did make a video of Mia Rosie's favorite friend Sascha on the visit...

Anyways now we are back in Portland and I have memories of that delicious drink.  Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup in sparkling water - oh yes. I am happy to report, that the experiment of recreating the syrup worked out :)

We first harvested the herbs in our garden, washed the lemons, cut them, brought the mixture to a boil and let it sit for a couple of days....

Mint-Lemon Balm Syrup

• 1 Bunch of fresh mint 
• 2 Bunches of fresh lemon balm
• 5 organic lemons washed, and sliced
• Large pot
• 10-3/4 C of water
• 4-1/2 lbs. sugar
• app. 5 wide mouth quart sized canning jars {I ended up with three jars and three bottles}

1. Rinse herbs, then pluck the leaves off and place in the large pot
2. Add the lemon slices, and water to the pot
3. Bring to a rolling boil, cover and remove from the heat
4. Leave covered for two days at room temperature.  Stir occasionally
5. Remove herbs, as well as lemons from the mixture.
6. Place the pot back on the stove, adding the sugar.  Bring mixture to a rolling boil, stirring frequently.  Boil for about 5 minutes then remove from the heat and fill the syrup into prepared jars and bottles. 
7. Prior to filling the jars and bottles, place cheesecloth on top of the jar/bottle.  Be careful not to burn yourself.  The syrup is very hot!
8. Add to Sparkling Water, or Prosecco, or White Rum, or.....the options are endless :)

Enjoy!

We are back - recap of the first part of our trip & what we miss...

We have made it back home late Wednesday evening last week, and I finally made it back to my computer :)  Coming back always puts me in sort of a - for lack of better terms - funk.  You know for one there is the jet-lag and the nine hour time difference, and then secondly it is knowing that we most likely not be back in Europe for another year.   Europe is - after all - my first home and I can honestly say that I feel deeply connected with it. It may sound strange, and it is very hard to explain however it is  just such a strong connection...

In any case,  we had a fantastic trip.  It was a successful on the business and on the personal side.  The girls and I spent a lot of quality time with my Mom; it was really wonderful.  We had wonderful visits with some of our dear friends {sadly we did not get visit everyone but that is like a mission impossible in such a short time}; the girls had a lot of fun with the German school friends {yes they did go to school in Germany for three weeks}, and let me tell you their German  skills improved tremendously. They are true bilingual kids :) Now who said this was not possible?!

So now we are back  there are also a few things we miss - besides family and friends - about Europe.  Can you guess what they are?

Let me tell and show you...

• Freibad, Schwimmbaeder, and - for Ron and me - Sauna are one those things.  Take a look at the girls swimming at the different pool
• We miss all the lovely "Eisdielen" {ice cream parlor's}
• Amazing playgrounds

School, Play, and Playmobile Land {Germany 2013}

How are you?  Have you been missing us?!  Yes, yes I know the world does not revolve around me...it is just my meager attempt to be funny ;)

Anyways, we have been in Germany now for almost three weeks and am very much enjoying ourselves.  The girls go to school Monday through Friday, while I work and visit my German clients.  We are staying at my Mom's this year and it has been the best decision.  It is wonderful to get a little spoiled by not having to cook, enjoy my Mom's kitchen and spend quality time with her.  Have I mentioned how amazing her Bratkartoffeln {fried potatoes} are?

The girls have been - at least most of the time - enjoying to go to school and see their friends again.  They visit every year so it is - also for the German kids and at least in Alena's class - a welcome back, Alena.  For Mia Rose it is the first time at a German school, as school here starts with first grade and not Kindergarten :)  One of the things my youngest loves is that she is able to walk to and back home all by herself.  Alena is not the biggest fan of it, but Mia Rose?!   Both girls are fully integrated in the classrooms {they both speak German} and the experience to compare the German school to their school in Portland has been - as always - awesome...Last week, both participated in the Bundesjugendspiele which is a full morning of competitive sports.  They ran, long jumped, high jumped and had loads of fun.  Alena went on an afternoon hike with her class and we ended the day with a big BBQ party at one of the many parks {Waldspielplatz} surrounding Tuttlingen.

On the weekends we have been visiting friends; we see each other only once a year but always pick-up right were we left off.  Now that to me is a sign of true friendship!!!

For fun other we have been to an outdoor theater and saw Rapunzel; visted the Fairytale Garden in Ludwigsburg; went swimming at TuWass; spent time at many playgrounds; visited the Playmobile Fun Land....

And for dinner out?  There is one dish that always works; do you know what it is?  Yup, Pommes Frites which the girls prefer "red/white" { ketchup & mayonnaise}, as well as  plenty of ice "cream".  There are always options when you ask and explain the situation!

Roses, Peonies, Rhodies & Pizza

Do you know where the city of roses is? Maybe - shall I give you a little hint, or are you rolling your eyes...oh, you are just so lame...yes, it is Portland as in Portland Oregon, or PDX, or our hometown...
This time of year the air is fragrant with the scent of flowers - roses are already starting to bloom, peonies have started, and rhodies {as in rhododendron} are still going strong.  So what do we do on a beautiful Friday night - I guess the hint was pizza - we walk to Apizza Scholl's for a delicious {1/2 no cheese it works like a charm} pie and on our walk enjoy the flower's.  Here is the pizza

and I just know that you also want to see the most amazing blooms...

Spring time is here...

I promised to show you how beautiful spring time can be in Portland....Yes, we have been enjoying something like an early summer, and even cooked out for the first time this year....

Tulips are my favorites....

but really love all of them....

Fun Field Trip to the Rice Museum....

Happy Friday!!! Today Alena's class went on a field trip.  You know what that means, right? Yup, it means that I chaperone. Parent involvement at our  school is amazing; many parents help in the classroom, some organize and manage the weekly running club, others organize the science fair, while others work on fundraising programs...but I copy - which I am quite good at :) - and chaperone on field trips....

All the 3rd grader went on the field trip to the Rice Museum in Hillsboro, Oregon.  It is about a 45 minutes bus ride - yes, I did get to ride on the school us today - at least from our part of town. So what is the Rice museum? Well, it is not about rice - as far as I know Oregon is not one of the major rice producers ;)  - but a museum founded by the Rice family and it is all about rocks and minerals. Wow - let me just tell you that this place is major fun as in FUN. Really, exhibits with amazing rocks, fossils and minerals are stacked wall to wall. in the exhibits There is an exhibit with rocks that glow in the dark, a room of petrified wood and shelves lines with polished "slices" of it showing off their amazing colors as well as textures, a meteorite gallery {yes you get to touch them}. . Plus let me not forget to tell you about the room with packed with huge emerald formations, amethyst, rubies, sapphires, diamonds and so many other crystals formations...just amazing. Take a look at some of the exhibits...the pictures are courtesy by no other but Alena :) 

Yes, the 3rd graders - as well as the chaperons -  had so much fun.  We ate lunch, Oregon style outside 

and at the end of the tour all kids got to search for their own treasure in the large rock pile outside. Can you see how much fun Alena and her friends are having?

The next time we go out to the beach we will definitively have to stop there. Ron and Mia Rosie will love this place...ahhhhm yes it will not just be for me :). Alena loved it just as much.  Here she is :)

Sunriver Fun - Playing in the snow & treats

Last weekend we drove out to Sunriver for a long weekend.  Time to play in the snow, soak in the hot tub, swim in the pool, and just hang out.  Sunriver is the perfect spot for that. Well, at least in my opinion :)

We rent a cabin {oh yes, complete with hot tub :)} and play outdoors.  This was the first time we have gone in the winter; prior to that it always either late, or early summer. The driving over the mountain pass has actually held us back in the past...you never know whether there is a snow storm up on Mt. Hood.

It was raining in Portland - snow storm on Mt. Hood - dry in Bend - snowy in Sunriver

Because of the snow storm on the mountain we left town {that is Portland} without any groceries, except you know Pasta, Earth Balance, a couple of packs of Oat Milk, and - yes - chips as a snack for the girlies...I have to admit so, that the last time we went out to Bend we realized that there is a Trader Joe's on the way.  Otherwise, I would not have left without our essential food items as sometimes it can be a little challenging to get "safe" foods for the girlies :). In any case  needless to say our first stop was at Trader Joe's where we stocked up on Soy Yoghurt, Chocolate Soy Milk, bread etc. - After dinner it was the perfect time for a soak with snow falling on our heads - such a nice change :)

We woke up to winter wonderland and decided to give Cross Country Skiing a try.  Do you remember our snow shoeing day?  If not, Mia Rose was not so excited about hiking on snowshoes, so it was time to give another winter sport a try.  We honestly, did not know how the ladies would like it.  It could go either way, right?  Well, if you know us a little bit you understand that we have to spend time outdoors. We love the outdoors...anyway we rented skis, drove towards Mt. Bachelor to "Meissner" Sno-Park, and gave it a try...

I think that we have found our winter sport!  Yes,  we all loved it - serene, beautiful, a good workout....the girls did such a fantastic job.  The first day we skied 2 miles, and the second day we went out for 3 miles. Take a look...

Cross Country Skiing at Meissner Sno-Park

See what we found...

Can you see "it" on Alena's hand?

and you know what? There was even a little coffee shop trailer at end of the trail and - now that IS the really big news - they had Vegan Hot Chocolate for the ladies.  We were so, so excited.  Alena asked first "Oh, I really wish I could have hot chocolate..." we asked and voila...THE perfect treat for both ladies as well as for both parental units...But you know, that it would have also been okay for both girls had they not been able to have a treat at the coffee trailer on at the Sno Park.

President's Day Walk at Tryon Creek

...we are here no worries all is good here in Portland.  We had a fantastic long weekend - packed with fun at the Roller Rink, and a nice long walk at Tryon Creek.  This time, the entire family - including Mia Rose - enjoyed the walk, listening to wood peckers, and imagining faeries along the way in the woods :)

I will not bore you with a lot of words today instead here are the pictures - and just maybe there is one of me as well....

Happy Valentine's Day and a very Happy Mama

Did you have a nice day, or are you still having a wonderful day?   We sure did.  The girls were so excited this morning as Alena said "Finally it is Valentine's Day".  The girlies do get in the spirit of things. We had a card, a foot long pencil {yes, I know absolutely silly}, and a dairy free chocolate bar for each girl.  It set the day off right for the entire family...

At school there was a party in each classroom. So we did, what probably most of you with school aged children did as well...make Valentine's earlier in the week.  For the parties I volunteered to bring the treats - juice boxes, fruit roll-ups, and Skittles.  Each classroom had made mailboxes to hold the Valentine's for each kid.  They each came home with packed full mailboxes and more treats...We looked together at the treats at home and I am so proud of our girls.  Alena sorted out all of the candy that contain milk; she just said "they must not know that I cannot have milk" and passed it off to me {yes, I certainly do NOT need any additional candy}.  Alena then helped Mia Rose sort through her Valentine's...

Oh, and I do need to tell you what one of Mia Rosies'  best friends told her at school "I am so sorry I brought chocolate and forgot that you cannot have it" they hugged and Mia Rosies' response was "that is okay". It was no big deal - they just know that Mia Rose cannot have products containing milk...

Honestly, I cannot tell you how happy it makes me that both girls are able to manage school parties with confidence and ease.  They are not singled out, and it makes me so, so very happy.  Thank you for reading!

Mia Rosie and her Valentine's 

Alena and her Valentine's

Dinners {Blueberry Pancakes Pasta w/Kale} Field Trip = Busy Week

Did you all miss me?  I am here but have so ueberbusy...not complaining just saying how it is.  January 31st was a deadline I could not miss for work which in itself would have kept me crazy busy, but as I was chaperoning Alena on her field trip I ended up working a "night shift".  No, I am really not complaining just explaining.

Yes, we did have dinner and I was quite grateful for my freezer and the leftover Hopping John from New Year's Day.  It was great, and since it was National Blueberry Pancake Day we had the strange combination of Blueberry Pancakes {same recipe just swap blueberries for nuts}, Hopping John, and rice for dinner.  I think that is what crazy weeks are for, right?  Combination fun dinners...

Tuesday night dinner included a large big salad, and on Wednesday it was fresh Rotini with purple Kale {my new favorite Kale} and sausage.  This easy dish is always a hit in my house. Everyone loves it and even better with fresh pasta.

Purple Kale & Sausage

Oh, yes and the field trip with Alena's class was on Wednesday.  It was great!  We went downtown Portland.  First stop was the Wells-Fargo Museum, and the next stop was the Oregon Historical Society.  I highly recommend both - and did you know that if you live in Multnomah County there is no fee to go to the Oregon Historical Society.  We only saw a little bit - the kids learned how Native Americans lived on the Pacific Shore and contrasted it with those living in the Oregon dessert.  It was very interesting.  After lunch we learned all about our geology, earth quakes, tsunamis, and volcanos {since we have all of those here}.  It was really fun, but the kids were exhausted.

Alena & her friend at the Portland Wells-Fargo Museum

So, this rounds up our week and yesterday? Well...we did go out to HopWorks for dinner.

Come back tomorrow to see what will be on our dinner table tonight :)

Have a great day, all!!!

Oatmeal Cookies w/ Raisins Chocolate Nuts {#Dairyfree} or Seeds

I have never, ever made Oatmeal Cookies...well, that is until this week.  This week I  we have made them twice. Yes, from never to twice just like that...I really wanted to name them "Everything but the Kitchen Sink Oatmeal Cookies" as it is so much more appropriate.  So first why have I not made them before?  Well, honestly it never sounded that appealing to me.  So why out of a sudden?  Okay - rolled oats in bulk were on sale this week at New Season's Market so on a whim I decided to some.  Little did I know just how much we would all like Oatmeal Cookies....I found this fantastic recipe for Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Alena and I made the first batch - with walnut pieces; and Mia Rose and I made the second batch - with  pumpkin seeds.  They turned out fantastic - and the first batch did not last the night - and were quick and easy to make.  

Alena making Oatmeal Cookies

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Oatmeal Cookies {#Dairyfree} - Rasins - Chocolate - Nuts/Seeds

Adpated from http://www.food.com/recipe/oatmeal-raisin-cookies-35813

   1 C  flour

1/2 tsp baking solda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

   1 stick {1/2 C} Vegan Margarine {I use Earth Balance} softened

1/2 C sugar

Everything but the Kitchen Sink Oatmeal cookies

1/2 C light brown sugar

    1    egg

    1 tsp vanilla

1-1/2 C rolled Oates

   1/2 C raisins

   1/3 C dairyfree chocolate chips {generous}

   1/4 C chopped walnuts, or any type of seeds 

***Preheat oven to 350F***

1. Mix together all the dry ingredients {flour through salt}

2. Cream together the margarine, sugars, egg, and vanilla

3. Add dry ingredients to the margarine/sugar/egg mixture at once.  Mix in until all the flour mixture is just incorporated {do not over mix}

4. Add Oates, raisins, chocolate chips, nuts and/or seeds. Carefully stir it in until just mixed.

5. Using a ice cream scooper - or two spoons - drop the dough onto a parchment lined cookie sheet.

    Leave plenty of space between each cookie

6. Bake for 11 minutes {until golden - do not over bake}

7. Take out of oven, let them cool down.

Enjoy!!!!