German classes starting January 8th, 2009

Are you interested in learning German? Good news, there is still space available in the adult class of the German Saturday School. Classes meet every Thursday evening from 6:30 - 8:30 PM at the Deutsche Haus, 7901 SE Division Street in PDX. The cost for the 10 week class is $170. Interested? Questions? Please contact the school director at 971.275.0848.

We are back to regular PDX weather...yup it's raining again

I am so glad that the snow is almost all gone...It was great for Xmas but it was enough. We are back to rain, some sun, and weather in the 40's. I wonder is this what winter feels like in Northern Germany? Could you please let me know? I look forward to hear from you...

Swimming...

The girls really want to go swimming so today we decided to try out the North Clackamas Aquatic Center. http://www.clackamas.us/ncprd/aquatic/ This is the best public pool I have been to in PDX. There are slides, a good size kiddie pool with slide, a wave pool (I have not seen that anywhere else in PDX), lap pool, diving pool, and a whirlpool. The girls had a ton of fun. There are family changing rooms complete with a shower which made changing in and out of swim suits easy. This is a much better solution for a family swim than driving out to Bonneville as there is no kiddie pool. However, the air temperature was a little chilly to me. There is some space to walk around, and some tables are set up where you can eat snacks (from the snack bar), or drink a soda. It is of course not TuWass http://www.tuwass.de/0_fr_start.htm, but better than any pools I have been to. It does need a little updating...

There were a few things that seemed quite strange to me

• People were allowed to walk into the pool area with their street shoes to test the water (feel the water temperature. Is it just me? I think its a little gross
• There was quite a bit of sand (at least that is what it seemed like) in the kiddie pool. I could not figure out where it came from as there is no sand box inside?
• Whirlpool only allows people above the age of 18. So there it is not possible to enjoy warmer water with your kids. Here is a picture to the "warm" area at TuWass http://www.tuwass.de/0_fr_start.htm

If you have not been, you should give this pool a try. Have fun...

The "Gingerbread House" and the Christmas Goose

A picture of the "Gingerbread House" the girls and I made, a picture of the Christmas goose, and Ron carving the goose.

Portland after the 2008 snowstorm

Finally a few pictures.  Above you can see what our street looks like (its a little better now), the girls sledding, our backyard, and the lower reservoir at Mt. Tabor.  Can you believe that these pictures are from Portland, Oregon?

Christmas Day...

The kids spent much of Christmas Day playing with their new toys. I spent almost 1-1/2 hours putting together the Playmobil Horse Farm Santa Claus brought Alena. That was quite tedious work...I have never put together any model so this was my first. Let me tell you it looks great!!! But it really did take me over 1-1/2 hours. Totally worth it so, because Alena LOVES it.

The rest of the day was spent, well you guessed it, cooking. The stuffing, and cabbage was made but we still needed to roast the goose, make the gravy, and the Kartoffelkloesse (potato dumplings). I stuffed the goose while Ron seared it, and roasted it for over 3 hours in the oven. It turned out FANTASTIC! The dumplings turned out the best ever. They did not fall apart, were not mushy, just turned out great. What a great day we all had...I hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Christkind, or Santa Claus

I think that is the questions many of living here in the States face. Who will bring the children presents? I grew up with the Christkind and, as is German tradition, always got presents on Christmas Eve. Ron on the other hand grew up in the States and Santa Claus would always bring him presents on Christmas Day. So what to do? We obviously are raising our children in the States so Santa Claus is a must. I think that my German roots however also warrant to keep the German tradition. So this is what happens in our house.

The Christkind comes on Christmas Eve and leaves some presents under the tree. Before the kids go to bed they leave a cookie out for Santa Claus with hopes that he will come overnight. I think our kids are super lucky to have both bring presents...

Christmas Eve after dinner, we watched a Christmas movie and came back downstairs to find that the Christkind had visited us. Alena was SO excited. Then yesterday morning Alena was the first person up. She immediately ran over to the tree, and stockings. "Mama der Weihnachtsmann war da. Komm schnell..." she yelled to me and to Ron "Papa, Santa Claus was here. You have to come right away..." What excitement. That's what its all about, the excitement of the kids, right?!

Christmas Eve...we are finally thawing out

Back to normal PDX weather. Well, not quite it snowed again this morning and it now has been raining most of the afternoon. Snow is obviously melting but we had over a foot of snow so I am sure that it will stick for today. Truth be said, I was hoping that it would snow throughout the day today. Just until tomorrow, and then I can be done with snow. I should not complain as we are certainly having a white Christmas.

We have decided to stay in tonight as the roads are so slush, and Ron thinks that they may be freezing. So no mass tonight. I read the Christmas story to the girls earlier today and also made some more cookies. For tomorrow I made the stuffing, and yesterday I already made the red cabbage. I do not feel as prepared as other years so...wonder what I may be forgetting. Oh well, it will be a great evening. The Fleischkaese will be done in a little while, the Kartolffelsalat (potato salad) is done, Gluehwein is on the stove, and presents are prepared...Merry Christmas to all.

P.S.: I will be posting the pictures of the snow yet...

Christmas dinner...

Christmas dinner is saved...It has stopped snowing and Ron was able to pick up our Goose, and the Fleischkaese aka Leberkaese. Are you wondering what we are having for Christmas? Wonder no longer, here are the answers

On Christmas Eve we are having traditional Fleischkaese und Kartoffelsalat. We will go to mass, come home, the Christkind will have visited, and will eat.

For Christmas Day we are having our traditional Goose. I serve it with Kartoffelknoedel (potato dumplings), Rotkraut (braised red cabbage), and stuffed with a chestnut fruit stuffing. Of course I will also make gravy. As for the recipe I am not using any "secret" recipe from my German family. In Germany we actually never had Goose, and there really was never any traditional food for the holidays. I follow the recipes from the Joy of Cooking. This year is my 4th (or is it my 5th?) year of making the Goose. We all love it.

I love having family traditions. That is why we started making the Goose. It is something special, something which needs a lot of time and preparation. Now, please let me know what you are having for Christmas. Will it be something you make every year, or is it different every year. Please let me know. Just post a comment. I LOVE to hear from you :)

Snow & Gluehwein

My shopping adventure was great. Snow everywhere, very few cars, and buses still did run. I just read that Multnomah County (PDX County) declared a state of Emergency today. Look at the new video from KATU news http://www.katu.com/news/36269429.html click on Video...

I have to say that I like this weather. The girls played out in the snow, and Ron walked down to Hawthorne. People were out on cross country skies, snow shoes, etc. - This weather calls for Gluehwein. I just made my very first batch. I confess, that I never made it myself before. We have a fire going, the tree looks beautiful and the Gluehwein...well it just smells delicious :) Here is how I made it

1 bottle red wine
2 cinnamon sticks
Juice of 1 orange
Peel off one orange
1/4 cup of sugar (or a little more to taste)
a few cloves

- Put it all together on the stove and let simmer for about 20 - 30 minutes.

Enjoy on a cold winter night :)

We are totally SNOWED IN...yes, you are reading correctly this is Portland, Oregon...

It snowed most of last night, and it is snowing again this morning. Our street has not been plowed in days, our footprints in the yard are long gone and covered with new snow. Honestly I have not experienced ANYTHING like this since leaving Chicago and there I only experienced one great big snowstorm. I do not recall having EVER experienced anything like this in Germany. WOW...It sure is pretty, but there is no way we can leave the house with the car. Chains are now required in the ENTIRE Portland metro area, Lufthansa has cancelled their flight into PDX, and I am quite sure (but please do not quote me on this one) will also be cancelling the flight to SeaTac. I-84 the major highway connecting us to everyone else in the Eastern States is indefinitely shut between Troutdale and Hood River. I cannot stop saying WOW...Check this news video out, when you click on the link, click on "Video" http://www.katu.com/news/36269429.html.

As for us, we are still good on food but Christmas is this week so I need to get some stuff. I just called New Seasons and they are open. I will put on my snow pants, two pairs of socks, my thick winter coat (thanks to living in the Midwest), and make my trek out to Division Street. I am hoping that the #4 bus will run to take me down to the store. And yes, I have already called the store New Seasons Seven Corners is open. If worst comes to worst, I will just walk to the store. Good thing we live in the city. I will keep you all posted on my adventure...

Weihnachtsplaetzchen - Christmas Cookies

This winter weather is having me long for some nice Weihnachtsplaetzchen. I already made some earlier this week, but I already have to remake some...Are you looking for a Christmas Cookie recipe? I did put some recipes up on my other blog http://galactopdx.blogspot.com/. The titles for all of them is "cookies". FYI - you can of course swap out the Margarine with butter, and the Soy Milk with regular cow's milk.

PDX almost at complete stand still because of winter snow...

Today PDX is almost at a complete standstill because of the snow and freezing rain we had over night. Yesterday it snowed pretty much the entire day. I have never experienced this here in Portland. Snow yes, but never like this...this has been going on for a week now. During the week the school closures etc. were really (in my humble opinion) on most days not necessary, but the weather yesterday and today really warrants closures. I-84, this is the main artery connecting us to the East of the United States, is completely SHUT between Troutdale and Hood River. Chains are required on all highways in Multnomah County, and chains are required on ALL streets in Washington County...Watch the news http://www.katu.com/news/36269429.html (click on Video). The trains (Max) aren't even running. I do not remember having ever experienced something like this in Germany. Maybe its because the streets were cleared...

Yesterday I had to head over to Beaverton. A trip which should take no more than half an hour took me almost an hour and a half. And yes, the roads were very, very SCARY. Back on the east side I saw people on their skies, pulling kids on sleds, etc.

Truth be said, I do like the white and am very much looking forward to a white Christmas. I am just glad we have enough food in the house to get us through the weekend....Stay warm everyone. As always I would love to hear from you...

Another snow day...

The snow yesterday tapered off around 11 AM, and was completely melted by 3 PM. Nevertheless Alena's school called it an early day meaning that kids needed to be picked up by 1 PM. I admit that there was quite a bit of disappointment about the snow being gone. But hurray, it started to snow again last night, it still is snowing (OK just a little bit) and everything is pretty and white. There is less than one inch on the streets, really, really beautiful, and to my amazement schools are closed again today...Maybe its very icy out. Oh well, hopefully so the snow will stick this time.

It is snowing again...

For yesterday an arctic freeze was predicted and again there was no school. It actually was not bad at all. It snowed a little in the morning which was beautiful, but by early evening it turned to rain which took away all of the white beauty :(. The temperature was supposed to dip down below freezing but luckily it never did. So today school is on and it has been snowing beautiful thick flakes since around 8 AM. It is just gorgeous out there. Let's see if the kids stay in school today so. I am just waiting for the call, that school is letting out early.

One thing about the snow so is that I LOVE it. I know that it will only last for a short little while, but really there is nothing like snow to put me into the Christmas spirit :)

It only rains in Portland...no, we actually are having a winter freeze

Hi there to everyone from the Artic Portland, Oregon. Yup, that's right it is almost arctic cold here with snow on the ground. It snowed Sunday almost all day long and the roads were in complete chaos. We had to go to the west side and without chains it was really impossible to go. Therefore we went on a little adventure, parked the car by the Max Train and took the Train to the west side. Our friends picked us up, but they did have chains on their tires. I don't think that I have ever seen the roads so deserted. 26 a major highway was not plowed, earlier that they I-5 which is the major artery connecting us to California, and Washington State was CLOSED. Yes, you read it correctly, the Interstate was closed. Chains were mandatory on all highways in the Portland metro area. Wow!!! Turns out, that we really only got a couple of inches of snow, but the the city just is not prepared and there are not enough snow plows.

Truth be said so, it actually is nice to have some snow before Christmas.

All I want is a Weihnachtsmarkt in Portland :)...

We were in Chicago over the weekend and went to the Weihnachtsmarkt. Chicago has had a Weihnachtsmarkt since 1996 (when we still lived there) and I have not been back in years. What a fantastic event! It has grown beautifully, there are suppliers from all over Germany and the mood is just like at any Weihnachtsmarkt. Wouldn't it be great to have a Weihnachtsmarkt similar to that here? Here is the link...http://www.christkindlmarket.com/

Things to do this weekend in Portland, 12/6/2008 - German Artist Art Show Opening this weekend in Southeast Portland

Are you looking for things to do this weekend? Or are you shopping for a very, very special holiday present this year? Or you want to treat yourself to something beautiful?

This weekend the Art Show entitled "Surveying the Human Condition" opens at the Fire & Earth Art Center in SE Portland. The show features sculptures by Petra Brambrink and photographs by Friderike Heuer. The opening reception will be held this Saturday December 6th, 20008 from 5 - 8 PM. The address of the Fire & Earth Art Center is 2502 SE Division Street, Portland. The show be this weekend only Saturday and Sunday December 6th & 7th from 10 AM - PM. And take a look at the sculptures...aren't they beautiful?

For more information please also take a look at Petra's web-site http://www.petrabrambrink.com/ and click on "for immediate release.

Things to do this weekend in Portland, 12/6/2008 - German Holiday Event

Are you ready for some more German holiday fun, something to get you and your family in the spirit of the season? This weekend is the German Holiday Bazaar of the Kinderschule in Portland. We went last year and the kids had so much fun. Last year there was a Nikolaus which was fantastic. This year's schedule looks like there will be a lot of music, and singing. Sing-along for the children, as well as songs performed by the children of the Kinderschule. See you all there.

More info under http://www.portlandkinderschule.com/