Maryhill Winery, Museum, & Stonehenge #Washington {#travel} Columbia River Gorge

Camping or travel in the Pacific Northwest is so rewarding - from the great outdoors with fantastic hikes, climbs,  surfing and more to wine tasting, fine art and  - gasp - Stonhenge.  Yes,  you read that correctly…no joke.

You may remember that our first tenting trip of 2015 too us yet again to Memaloose Oregon State Park in the Columbia River Gorge; it usually is always a nice hike however my foot has been bugging me so since that was out of the question why not sightsee…

I have heard many things about a supposed replica of Stonehenge in the Columbia River Gorge so this was the perfect opportunity since we were pretty much already half way there {from Portland that is}.  We crossed the Columbia in The Dalles and from it there it was less than an hour to reach Maryhill Winery - our first stop. I honestly did not know what to expect.  Yes,  we have been wine tasting in Willamette Valley but never before in the Columbia River Gorge.  Oh my what have we missed…

Maryhill Winery has a very nicely appointed large tasting room, the most amazing place however is the patio.  There is a lovely, large patio with stunning views of the Columbia River Gorge, and Mount Hood.  You could bring along a picnic {saw many people with that thought} order a bottle of wine and enjoy a lovely afternoon on the patio.  Now let me also say,  that the wine was quite delicious and we may have added a few bottles to our collection :)

Next stop - Stonehenge; now let me preface by telling you that we {as in Ron & I pre-kids} have been to actual Stonehenge.  Stonehenge that is surrounded by green and seeing a fully intact replica in a dessert environment was - how can I say this correctly - a little surreal, but at the same time super cool.  Samuel Hill built the replica of Stonehenge as a memorial for those fallen in World War I.

Our last stop was the Maryhill Museum of Art - let me admit that I did not have high expectation but was I wrong; we were blown away.  Starting out with the amazing collection of pieces and drawings by Auguste Rodin to the amazing collection of American Indian Artifacts to the Théâtre de la Mode; oh and did I mention the girls favorite which which is collection of royal memorabilia from Queen Marie of Romania.

We stopped at the museum cafe for lunch and it was delicious; not only were they able to cater to our kids but the food was yummy.  Ron and I shared a salad with local smoked salmon….

Good to know if you go
- Maryhill is about 90 miles or about 2 hours drive from Portland
- the weather is quite a bit warmer
- there are several vineyards along the route so be sure to have a dedicated driver
- pack a picnic and stop at Maryhill Winery
- have fun

Camping in the Columbia River Gorge at Memaloose {#Travel #Oregon #GoCamping #Food Family #Fun}

How can it be that it is already June 10th - another few posts are still locked up in my head and there has been zero output on this blog lately.  Yes, shame of me…time keeps just on rolling by…so now no more fretting from me…

Summer is here meaning the tent camping season is now fully open {for us} -  we kicked off the season with a two night stay at Memaloose Oregon State Park; actually the same campground we kicked the season off for a few years now.  Memaloose State Park is in the Columbia River Gorge just past Mosier and few miles west of The Dalles; this is the place - at least we think so - where the lush green changes over to a more desert feel.  The mighty Columbia is just below the campground and Rowena Crest rises high above;  Memaloose is located where the gorge is super narrow.  The train line is below the campground separating the river from the park; I-84 runs right above campground and Rowena Crest towers above.  Yes,  it is loud - there is the highway, trains all times of day and night, and - since this is the Columbia River Gorge - one the premier wind/kite surfing places around the world super, duper windy.  WE - for some odd reason - love to kick off the season here.  It is always a lot warmer, and drier than Portland plus there is a lot to do.

We love hiking up Rowena Crest, or the Tom McCall Preserve but since I hurt my foot {hello Plantar Faciatis} a hike was not in the cards.  Let's just say that MiaRose was slightly excited about that fact.  Instead of the hike we headed to the Washington side in the gorge, tasted some wine,  went to an awesome museum and visited Stonehenge.  More about that tomorrow, or soon thereafter...

Roasted Marshmallows and s'mores by the campfire

Other things to do include biking, wind/kite surfing, hiking, more wine tasting, visit the the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, taste fantastic beers at Full Sail and/or Double Mountain in Hood River…

Oh yes and finally figured out how to improve our camping fare; parboil.  I obviously did not invent the idea but how on earth did it take me so long to think of it?  We finally had great food - perfectly roasted corn on the cobb {parboiled at home before packing} plus potatoes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast - I parboiled the potatoes and they came out fantastic….

Good to know before you camp at Memaloose

• It is loud - there is no way of sugar coating it; trains run throughout the night, and so does the traffic on the highway
• It is windy and the wind can be really gusty; so if you are tenting be prepared to anchor it down
• It is dry and hot
• and yes,  despite it all we love it , but it is not for everyone - so if you are looking for a quaint spot to camp this is not it…
• Great Junior Ranger program in the summer

Chicago with kids {#travel #family}

Ron and I moved from Chicago to Portland about thirteen years ago; for the longest time we have been talking how much fund it will be to go back with the girls, stay downtown, and be tourists in our old hometown.  In the past our big annual summer trip has been to go home {at least for me} to Europe, but since Europe will not be happening this summer we were finally made the trip back to Chicago.   Why did we wait so long?!

We left PDX at 12:40am getting into Minneapolis just before 6am getting us to Chicago O'Hare just around 8am; I know it does sound a little crazy to take the red-eye with kids but it was great.  It was the most economical flight option and two out of four slept all the way; while the other two may have enjoyed a rare treat of Coca-Cola.  Now do you care to guess who the two sleepers were?! 

Getting into O'Hare that early was great and getting downtown from O'Hare is super easy by taking the 'L' -  follow the signs for "CTA Trains" or "Trains to City"; 

we stayed at the downtown Hampton Inn & Suites on Illinois pretty much right off Michigan Avenue and it was fantastic.  Bright, clean, nice size rooms, comfy beds, a lovely swimming pool {key when traveling with our kids} plus continental breakfast.  In order to make our stay more economical we booked and prepaid the room.  Now let me say this - and no this is not a sponsored post - this hotel was absolutely perfect, we will definitively stay there again and I highly recommend it to all traveling to Chicago with kids.  True, it is not right on Michigan Avenue, or in the Loop but it is centrally located. Eataly is a couple of blocks away,  you can walk or take the bus to Navy Pier {just straight down Illinois}, and Michigan Avenue.  Our room was ready when we got there.  There is nothing like a shower, a quick rest to rejuvenate after the flight to get ready to explore.

I have to admit that there was one big thing making me uneasy was worrying about food options for the girls.  Yes…it is true but let me tell you not a reason to be worried; for lunch we went to Wishbone one of my all time favorites - it was burgers for the girls on dairy free buns {the regular buns contain dairy}. Breakfast was at the Corner Bakery, dinner at Ed Debevec's, dessert at  Eataly where there is plenty of Sorbetto {dairy free}, hot dogs at the Cub's game…plenty of dairy free / galactosemia friendly choices.  What did I worry about?!  The key - like always - is to ask, don't take "it probably has milk in it" for an answer but ask to read the labels…

We walked a lot and rode the 'L" everywhere…

went to a Cubs game

and we discovered the best playground {at least in our opinion} this side of the Atlantic…the Maggie Daley Park

Good to know if you go to Chicago with kids {or by yourself}

•  bring good walking shoes
• Chicago has fantastic public transportation - use it; get a daily pass, or buy a Vesta card
•  taking a red eye flight can be the most economical options - have your kids bring their favorite pillows
• pay for your hotel room in advance to get the best deals {I use the Hilton booking site}
• call ahead to restaurants you want to visit to ensure that there are "safe" options for the kids
• have LOTS of fun!!!

Fort Stevens State Park, Astoria & Beer or the first #camping trip of 2015 {#travel #gocamping #yurt #oregon}

No, this is not an April first joke it is actually me posting…can you believe my super long break?!  I am really waiting for that tool to transpose my posts from my brain to my blog.  Yes, I have been saying that for a long time it's lame but yes, so many, many posts lined up in my head and oh so little time.  Well, truth be said that lately I have also been feeling a little worn out ~ not to worry the family is all right just me being a little under the weather.

I am happy to announce that our 2015 camping season has opened.  Okay, truth be said we did not yet break the tent out and instead camped in a yurt at Forth Stevens Oregon State Park {Northern coast} which is perfect especially in chilly weather as there is heat, electricity, as well as beds.  Take a look

It's super fun and dry…We arrived on a Monday - it being March and the Oregon coast - there was a chill in the air and a slight drizzle in the air.  After setting up camp, we took a quick drive to the beach to explore the wreck of the Peter Iredale a ship that ran ashore in 1906.

 This was the first time we have seen it, really the first time that I have seen a real-life shipwreck and I do think that there is a certain mystique about it. You, know I was thinking about the hands that built the ship, the people that sailed on it the merchandise…okay, okay I am getting a little carried away...

The next stop was dinner and when in Astoria or close to it Fort George Brewery  is our place to go.  Let me just say that the beer is delicious and the food is not shabby either.  They certainly always have options for the girls.  In addition to the regular pub fare on the lower level,  the restaurant has expanded the upstairs into a pizzeria including a wood burning oven.  Feeling more like pub food - fish tacos for me friers - we stayed downstairs, gobbled down our food, enjoyed the beer, and took in the atmosphere of the steady downpour….

After dinner back to the yurt - yay for the yurt in the pouring rain - a nice game of Eckolo with Alena, comfortable beds and sleeping to the sound of the rain without worry.

We woke up to an almost dry day - you know the kind with lots of dry patches, sun, and intermittent rain.  Ron - always the camp chef - made us bacon and coffee/tea for breakfast…before we took a nice long walk to Coffenbury Lake (you can swim in the summer) to the beach and back.

I do have one complaint about Ft. Stevens and that is that cars are allowed on the beach. Year-round the beach is open for cars to drove tp the shipwreck but the area north is closed off for the months May thru September.  Let's just say,  cars on the beach are not my thing…

Check-out is at 1pm leaving plenty of time to explore Astoria.  Alena loves to visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum  which really is an awesome place to visit, now you know there is a but coming, right so here it is blue skies - sun and yes, neither MiaRose nor I were into a visit this time.  Instead we watched a beautiful 3D movie about Galapagos Islands and then headed outside to the pier to tour the Columbia Lightship

Feeling hungry our last stop was at Buoy Beer Company right on the river; the brewery is a little over one years old and neither the beer nor food disappointed.  The most amazing thing however are the views…I am talking right on the river,  pilot boats go by as do huge freighters coming off the Pacific Ocean and let's not forget the great viewing area of sea lions from the restaurant.  What do I mean?  Well, there is huge viewing area in the floor of the restaurant and below the floor are sea lions lounging.  Quite amazing and it's an awesome addition to the places to visit in Astoria.

Good to know:

Yurts - as many campsites in Oregon - must be reserved ahead of time and they go quickly; we just got lucky but only got to stay one night.  Reserve your spot at ReserveAmerica

Bring sheets to put underneath your sleeping back it's more comfortable than lying directly on the thick plastic

Be aware that cars are allowed on the beach at Fort Stevens State Park.

Have fun!

Manzanita, Beach, Pizza & a Bald Eagle #family #Sunday #fun {#oregon #travel #NehalemStatePark}

Is it really already the second week of March? All is great here I just have been feeling under the weather a bit…but you know there is nothing like spending time outdoors to lift my spirit.   On Sunday we ventured out to the Oregon coast which is one of our favorite places it always rejuvenates with its majestic beauty.  There are so many great places to go from Portland for a quick day trip - often times we go to Cannon Beach closest to Portland but there are so many, many other fantastic spots…

This time it was Manzanita - the town is south of Cannon Beach and this is the view of the town and beach from 101…

Amazing, right?!  It is a cute little beach town this is the view down main street….

What do you think?

Since we did not pack a picnic {yes, shame on me} besides a couple of snacks we decided to order a couple of pizza's from Marzano's Pizza - easy enough, right?!  Yes, especially when the dough is "safe" for the girls (i.e. no milk sugar) and that makes this mothership very happy…Anyway it was a pepperoni pizza without dairy for the girls, and a number eight for the parental units.  While the pizza was in the making we walked down to the beach and relaxed for the twenty minutes until the pizza was ready.

The beach in Manzanita is by far not as crowded as in Cannon Beach, but looking for an even more quiet spot plus some dunes we packed the pizza's and drove down the five minutes to Nehalem State Park.  It is the perfect spot…dunes, beach, quiet…

We ate our pizzas on the beach - the girls ran down the dunes and the absolute cherry on top {as MiaRose says} was this sight…

Yes,  a Bald Eagle devouring his catch right on the beach;  good thing we brought the binoculars and Ron took the pictures.

Walking back to the car after a fun day on the beach

Orcas Island - camping at Doe Bay {#gocamping} #getoutside #nature #pnw #washington

For years now we have wanted to go up to Doe Bay on Orcas Island.  Well, okay let me rephrase that I have wanted to go to Orcas Island actually ever since I read about Doe Bay.  Yes, I have been dreaming about this place that sounded so magical.  Sitting at a cove right above water it looks absolutely magical plus the resort is complete with a Sauna and hot tubs.  Now, you may not yet know this about me {and Ron} but we love Sauna; and as if not going to Germany would not be already hard enough for me but the thought on missing out on my several weekly trips to the Sauna just added more salt to an already open wound.  So yes,  since this is  was our summer of living outdoors and camping we reserved a walk-in spot at Doe Bay.  How was it?  Oh my - beyond absolutely magnificent; truly a walk in spot but it was basically just us right above the edge of the water.  Sea otters were feasting right by our campsite, the view of the water, the tranquility, the stars…it was such a reward for the seemingly long walk to the site.  Plus have I mentioned the Sauna yet?  Such a magical place - a beautiful big Sauna right behind the sunken hot tubs with views to the bay.  Yes,  we may have spent a couple of hours there every single day…just pure bliss.

Those of us living in the Pacific Northwest surely have all heard about the San Juan Island an archipelago located in the northwest corner of the United States and are part of Washington State.  There are a total of about 400 islands of which 128 or so are named and they lie between the continental coast of Washington and Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.  There is ferry service to four of the islands - San Juan, Lopez, Shaw, and Orcas - from Anacortes, Washington.  The islands are a nature lovers dream…wild life, hiking, sea kayaking…pure bliss; and yes getting there is already part of the fun; I mean who does not like to arrive at their vacation destination by ferry?!
Take a look…

After about an hour on the ferry we arrived at Orcas and drove straight to Doe Bay which is at the other end of the island.  The drive took us through the quaint village of Eastsound as well as through Moran State Park right below Mount Constitution….outdoor heaven, friends. Now can you guess how we spent our days?!  Oh yes,  we hiked…one we went up to Mount Constitution and walked up the last 1.2 Miles on the trail up

An other day we hiked around Mountain Lake

On the rainy day our not so much into hiking Mia Rose went on strike and refused to go on a little hike.  So Alena and I set out on our own on a little hike at Obstruction Pass State Park, yes we did get soaked but were ready for the Sauna and hot tub :)

But what about the kids?  Did they have fun?  YES - I can assure of that, we all made great friends and the kids had lot's and lot's of playtime {as well as s'mores} with their new friends while the adult had lot's of great conversation with our new friends.  Oh, and I almost forgot to mention a few other great things about Doe Bay - not only is it scenic, relaxing but you will also meet the nicest people every plus there are showers, and a guest kitchen with two stoves, two refrigerators plus a dining area.  Perfect for camping on a rainy day…and meeting new friends

All of us caught the same ferry back to the mainland or America as they say on the island when it was time to say good bye….

German Cherry Cheesecake - Kirschkäsekuchen {#Dairyfree} & first 2014 camping trip at Memaloose Oregon State Park

What is going on?  It is finally summer when the living should be easy and time for leisure should be plenty.  This has been said many times by me, but really would someone please invent a device that transposes blog posts onto the screen for editing….

The 2013-14 school year is over and to celebrate we went camping the very first weekend.  We have a new tent and could not wait to get out and give it a try.  Let me tell you it was full success.  The weather was dry out at Memaloose State Park in the Columbia Gorge albeit super windy and making the kite- and windsurfers out on the Columbia River very happy.

Both girls loved riding their bikes throughout the campground - their favorite is to make  s'mores at the camp fire and play silly games.  We have somewhat of a routine when camping.  Ron makes delicious French Press coffee and breakfast then we head out for a daily adventure.  This trip we went on a couple of adventures.  The first day we drove up to Rowena Crest and hiked the Tom McCall Nature Preserve; windy but simply beautiful.  Now let me tell you something about our kids - we have one child that absolutely loves hiking but there is also a cute squeaky little wheel that is not the biggest fan.  Can you guess the hiking fan and the hiking foe?!  -  One thing that sure helped the hiking foe was that we observed a beautiful deer in the park eating her lunch and seeing the ponds on the plateau.  Take a look how beautiful this place is….

Now I know if you are here for the Kirschkäsekuchen you are asking yourself what on earth does any of this have to do with a cake?  Let me tell you,  cherries grow in abundance in the Columbia River Gorge and this is what we saw on our drive up to the nature preserve

How can anyone resist and not stop to buy at least a pound of cherries for each person? Well, I may have bought ten pounds something I shall call planning ahead :)  Back home, they were pitted, placed on cookie sheets in the freezer, then moved to freezer bags and I am happy to report that we now have lots of cherries.  We use them as ice cubs in water and lemonade, and in this German style Cherry Cheesecake…Since we are not going to Germany this summer, I have to bring Germany to us.  Käsekuchen is one of my favorites; dense, rich, full in flavor with little hints of lemon. Unlike the American Cheescake a German style Cheesecake is made with Quark. Neither of our girls have had Käsekuchen before so this was a challenge that I had planned to tackle for a long time.

Take a look…

What do you think?

German Cherry Cheescake {Kirschkäsekuchen}
Crust

• 1-1/4 C flour
•     1/4 C  Sugar
•      1 tsp vanilla 
•      pinch of salt
•     1 egg yolk 
•  1/2 C  Earth Balance or other vegan "butter"

Filling

• 3 eggs, separated
• 2 pack soft silken tofu 
• 1/2 C sugar
• 1/4 C lemon juice (or more to taste)
• zest of 1/2 untreated lemon, grated
• 1/4 C corn starch
• 1-1/2 C fresh or frozen pitted cherries

1. Combine all the dough ingredients and bring together until it forms into a smooth dough.  Roll out the dough on a floured work space.  Place it into a parchment lined spring form pan. 
2. Place dough in spring form pan for about 30 minutes into a fridge
3. Preheat oven to 400 F
4. When the dough has chilled and the oven is preheated bake the dough for about 10 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven, and turn down heat to 335 F
6. Make the filling -
7. Beat egg whites until they are firm.  Set aside
8. Place tofu - drained as much as possible - into kitchen stand mixer. Beat until all lumps are worked out and it is smooth.
9. Mix in sugar, lemon juice (add more to taste), egg yolks and corn starch.  
10. Gently lift egg white under the filling
11. Pour filing into pre baked crust.
12. Place cherries on top of the filling and gently push them down
13. Bake for about 60 minutes until golden
14. Remove from the oven and let rest at a cool place for about 45 minutes before serving

Enjoy!

     

Empowerment pays off… {#Galactosemia}

The other day Alena and I were at store to pick up a couple of items.  Alena stayed by the front and this is what she was doing when I got back…

…there were snack samples - really yummy looking ones too - and Alena wanted to try it; so to determine whether she can eat she picked up the package and read the ingredients. It did make this mothership quite proud and it showed to me how empowering our kids has helped them to grow.  They need to understand that not all foods are safe for them, that it is not just Mama & Daddy verifying whether it is safe, but they must do so themselves.  It is so important that our kids learn this - because let's face it they all grow up :)  This is also why I think that they need to learn that not all food at home is "safe"; we have learned this important lesson from our dear friends in Italy and we forever grateful for it.  Karin and Eberhard - the parents of Lisa and Philip - told us, if they do not learn this at home where will they learn?  Yes, so our kids know that there is food in our fridge that is just for us parental units, or those eating dairy and there are foods that are not safe.  The kids read labels at the store and if there is no label, or they cannot verify that it is "safe" they will not eat it.  Yes, this is not to say that they are not a little sad if there is not a treat for them…but you know what it is manageable. At least that is what I think; we are just so very lucky!

I have written on this topic before when the girls were much, much younger - if you have a chance you may enjoy these posts from four years, and three years ago.  It was certainly fun for me - it is hard to believe how fast time flies…

Oh, and the yummy snack label Alena was reading?  They were not safe…Alena put it back, and said "oh, that is too bad that I cannot try them…" I We am are so very proud of my our girlies...

Birthday Lemon Cake {#Dairyfree} & Sunriver fun

Another year has gone by and Mia Rose is yet another year older.  This was the first year that she did not have a birthday party; now don't you feel sorry for my little pumpkin.  No, it was her choice that we go on a birthday family trip to Sunriver.  Our big little girl ~ birthday fun for the entire family complete with birthday cake, plenty of hot tubbing, swimming, and cross-country skiing.  Yes we all enjoyed ourselves and this was the most relaxing birthday ever….

Mia Rose is like Ron not a lover of chocolate (how can that be since both Alena and I can go miles for chocolate) and she wanted a different type of cake.  She was very specific not chocolate…then we had an idea lemon.  Oh, yes our Mia Rosie loves lemon she can it them just like that.  So we decided that her birthday cake would be a Lemon Cake.  I brought our loaf pan and all the ingredients along to our rental house, which by the way was perfect.   Let me just tell you that this was the perfect, perfect cake.  It very lemony and next time I may add even a little more yet :) Plus it was super easy to make - even in a kitchen that was not my own…Moist, lemony, delicious, and it kept perfectly for a couple of days.

Lemon Cake

For the Cake

2 untreated lemons

1/2 tsp Lemon extract

4 eggs

1-1-4 C Sugar

3/4 C + 1 Tbs Orange Juice

3/4 C + 1 Tbs Olive Oil

2-1/3 C flour

2-1/4 tsp baking powder

For the Frosting
1/2 untreated lemon
1-1/2 C powdered sugar

*** Preheat oven to 390 F and prepare a baking dish*** 

For the Cake

1. Squeeze the lemons, and grate the rind of one lemon. Add together with lemon extract to a bowl

2. Add sugar to the bowl and mix together

3. Beat one egg at a time into the sugar; beat about 1/2 minute each

4. Mix orange juice into the sugar/egg mixture

5. Add olive oil and combine into the dough

6. Combine flour with the baking powder and then carefully beat the flour into

the wet ingredients. Mix well so that no lumps remain

7. Pour dough into the prepared baking dish

8. Bake for 55 minutes or until a tooth-pick comes out clean. Then remove the

cake from the oven and let it cool down. Carefully remove cake from your

baking dish

For the Frosting

1. Squeeze the remaining 1/2 lemon and grate the rind.

2. Mix lemon juice carefully into the powdered sugar

3. Cover the cooled down cake with the frosting

4. Add additional decorations if you like

The year 2013 - Review, Thanks, Thoughts

Here it is the recap of 2013; a post that I have written many times over in my head but for some reason my thoughts did not transfer into a post.  Now why not?!  Okay - not funny I get it and really is anyone really interested in my 2013 recap?! Well, for one I just need it get it out of my head because otherwise it will languish there forever...just like many other posts that were never written this year;  posts that were perfectly scripted in my head and I just never typed out.  The good news is, well they are still in there and a New Year is coming.  Right?!  Who says that I cannot write those posts in 2014?  That is right, because this is my little blog...remember just like "It's my party and I cry if I want to" just rephrase it to "It's my blog and I write if I want to".  Oh, to those of you that do not know me in person I have this...well, let me call it for lack of other term gift, okay in a way it is a gift.  Now what?!  A gift - what on earth - alright I will not keep you in suspense any longer and will share with you what it is.  Well - this sounds odd - songs will pop into my head out of no where.  Really, there are certain phrases and then it happens like just now.  Aren't you glad you know this little tidbit about me now?!  I know, it is just what you always wanted to know...

Now I have gotten completely off track - 2013 the year in review;  let me focus on what I promised.  This year has been a really, really good year.  Our children as well as the rest of the family is healthy.  I am now the mother of a 10 year old and a 7 year old; Alena graduated from 3rd to 4th grade and Mia Rose graduated from 1st to 2nd grade.  That is hard to believe - were they not just in preschool?   I continue to be an avid advocate for Newborn Screening, and Alena and Mia Rosie's newborn screening story was featured in the Oregonian, and by APHL to celebrate the 50 year Anniversary of Newborn Screening.  Alena's story was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and included in an outstanding investigative report shedding light on the terrible practice of batching Newborn Screening tests at the hospital before sending them on to the State Lab. See, some hospitals wait for a couple of days before sending the tests to the labs, some labs are closed on the weekends, and sadly the result comes back too late for some of the babies.  Galactosemia is just one of those conditions that need an immediate response and this article made me realize again just how lucky we are.   Newborn Screening saves lives, and it is so important that all expecting parents learn as much as they can about the test before their baby is delivered. My last tidbit on newborn screening advocacy is that I have been appointed to serve a two year term on the Oregon State Newborn Screening Advisory Committee.

My little blog has continued to grow and 2013 was the year I changed the name from "Galactosemia in Portland" to "The Not So Cheesy Kitchen".  Truth be said, a) how many people know what Galactosemia is, and b) I have been concentrating a lot on the treatment i.e. the foods we eat :) a.k.a. Food Blog.  Now some thanks are in order to Ron, as well as our dear friends Larissa and Martin who helped come up with "The Not So Cheesy Kitchen" name of the blog.  Talking about my blog thank you Heather {a.k.a. Girlichef} for all the help and friendship. Oh, and yes I should mention that the girls are so used of me taking pictures of their dishes, them eating, them helping in the kitchen... I overheard Alena explain to her friend "my Mom takes pictures of all the foods we eat"...So thank you, girlies!

2013 also marked that year that I finally got back into running.  Yes, that is right after a almost 15 year break and with many failed attempts to get back into running I have finally made it.  I started back in May of this year and have not fallen off the "track".  Thank you to my dear friend Denise for coming up with a plan, is encouraging me and of course to Ron who makes sure that I make it out the door :).  Yes, I am slow but it clears my mind, lifts my mood...

This year was also the year we took a family vacation in Alto Adige {Northern Italy} after spending time in my hometown of Tuttlingen, Germany.  Danke, Mama :)  Talking about visits and vacations, we tried out snow shoeing {the girls were not fans}, discovered cross country skiing and took a couple of trips out to Sunriver, Oregon.  Then of course there was the surprise visit by my sister Kati...and yes,  it is hard living this far away from family.

Are any of you still here? Or did I loose you all by this long post?  Well, let me say this there are so many more people I should thank.  So I say Thank you to all of you...to every single one of you reading this.  I appreciate all of you.

Wishing all of you a Happy, Healthy, and Successful 2014.  May all your wishes for the New Year come true.  Cheers!!!

Snow Fun at Timberline Lodge on Mt. Hood & Pasta Alfredo {#milkfree}

How was your weekend?  We had a super long weekend here as Portland Public Schools was closed on Friday and yesterday {Monday} was Veteran's Day.  Friday was spent pretty much like any day; the girls did their homework while I also got some work done.  So we really did not - as the girls said - do anything fun on Friday.  Oh, those poor ladies....

You probably know that we like to spend time outside and I am getting really excited to go skiing again this winter; but you know comes with that, right?  Yup, sledding...we usually do not get snow in Portland but Mt. Hood is just a quick 1-1/4 hr drive away and luckily there is already snow at Timberline {which is as high as you can drive up with your car}.  Government Camp still is green...but up on Timberline perfect snow for sledding.  Well, of course also snowboarding as well as downhill skiing if that is your thing - we are more cross-country people.

 

Anyway - we packed snow pants, snow boots, and mittens for both ladies in anticipation to go sledding...and we were not disappointed.  Here is a short little video Ron took

Okay - if you are here for the Pasta Alfredo you are most likely ready to read about it.  Right?! Alright I will get to that part now.  It was already dark by the time we got home and I knew that the chicken was not ready for cooking; good thing there is always pasta, right?  I do get tired of pasta olio e'aglio and was trying to think of something else...Pasta Alfredo.  Yes, it must be possible to make it without "cow"milk...and let me tell you, yes it is :)  It was the very first time our girls ate Pasta in Alfredo sauce both asked "what is this white stuff?" they were hesitant at first but the absolutely LOVED it. It was a two serving dish for each girl and Ron was not disappointed either.

You may know that the girls are allowed to eat Parmesiano Regiano and I like to us it quite a bit as it is the  perfect way to add calcium to their diet.  I used plain Soy Creamer in lieu of the "cow" and together with Earth Balance it turned into a rich creamy Alfreado...I am so excited but {sad face} I do not have a good picture at all.  Just this...but it was so good

Pasta Alfredo {Milkfree}

• 1 box of your favorite pasta cooked according to directions
• 3 Tbs. Earth Balance {or your favorite vegan margarine}
• 2 Tbs. flour
• 2 C Soy Creamer {one full container be sure to use plain}
• 1 C Parmesiano Regiano grated
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1/2 C fresh Italian parsley chopped
• Salt, Pepper to taste

1. Cook pasta according to directions; as pasta cooks prepare the sauce
2. Melt Earth Balance in a pan.  When melted carefully stir in flour creating a roux.
3. Slowly pour the creamer into the pan,  stirring the roux to eliminate and lumps 
4. Stir in Parmesiano Regiano, lemon juice as well as parsley
5. Add salt & pepper to taste
6. Drain pasta and place in a serving bowl; pour Alfredo sauce over pasta mixing it into the pasta.

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...