It's summer time...Berry Picking

I just love summer. Walking around barefoot, kids running around in their summer dresses with dirty feet, long evenings, sunny days, camping, and berry picking time. Honestly, I am quite sad that we are not going to Germany later on this summer but then again this is the time of year to be in Oregon. Plus, it really is just like home just different. Well, this slogan really cuts both ways, right?!

When I thought about this entry earlier today I wanted to give it the title "Ode to Oregon" well a little over the top, is it not?! In any case I just LOVE Oregon, and Portland. Many reasons including that it just feels so much like Europe. The scenery, the abundance of fruits, veggies, nuts and I can see that the earlier settlers must have seen this as the place where "milk and honey flows". OK - I think that I may get a little carried away :) In any case, topic "Berry Picking". This is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. We like to go out to Sauvie Island which is so close to the city yet feels like a totally different world. There are a ton of different "U-Pick" Places on the island. There is Kruger's Farm (http://www.krugersfarm.com/), Sauvie Island Farm (http://www.sauvieislandfarms.com/) just to name a couple. Check out Sauvie Island at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauvie_Island.

Our favorite U-Pick on Sauvie Island is Sauvie Island Farms. In June we picked Strawberries. Enough for eating plus I made six jars of jam. Today we went again and picked Blueberries, and Raspberries. One note, I did not really eat Blueberries in Germany nor in Chicago. Never have I tasted and seen Blueberries like the Oregon berries. Huge, sweet, just so wonderful. - Oh, and the Raspberries we picked today? They are also huge, sweet and yummy. Today we had a total of 12 lbs. of berries, and we will have to go back...

So yes, I love Portland and Oregon with all my heart. It is my home, just like Germany and both places are so alike in so many ways, but yet so far apart...OK, guess I better call it a night :)

Lufthansa to end non-stop flight to PDX

The sad news was in the Oregonian yesterday.  Lufthansa is ending it's non-stop service between Frankfurt and PDX. They may bring it back next year....so maybe if we ALL complain we can get them to change their mind and they will cancel the Seattle flight instead?  What do you think? Certainly would love to get some feedback from everybody.  Here is the link

http://www.oregonlive.com/business/index.ssf/2009/07/lufthansa_to_end_portlandfrank.html

I am back...

So now it is June and I have not blogged since February. WOW!!! That was a super long hiatus. Lot's of things happened on the PDX German front :) - In March the girls and I went to Germany for three weeks. We got back the second week of April and had a really fantastic time. There was snow, but Lufthansa just had the most fantastic deal...The condo was great, food was good, and I went to the Sauna at least two times every single week. "This is the life"... back in Portland everyday life caught on quickly. Yes, and I started up blogging on the other blog way before this one. Not that I don't think about it...but feels like I have been just not having any spare time. But now, I am BACK...

Summer is here and the market's are back on. It is just so European. Wonderful, but I have to admit that I am quite sad that we are not going to Europe this summer :(. Hopefully we will be able to visit again around Xmas time. My oldest daughter has already been asking Ron when we will go back... :(

As for German things this summer, there a lot of things going on here in PDX. The playgroup is meeting every Friday. Contact me for more information about that. German camp at the Deutsche Haus, a German movie at the Hollywood Theater starting June 26th, the second team of Bayern Muenchen will be playing the Timbers, etc....Check back. I will update the events page shortly.

For us this summer brings camping, and exploring the great state of Oregon. This coming weekend will actually be the first time this summer to bring out the tent...Have a great evening.

It's snowing again...

I cannot believe what I am looking at this morning...SNOW, again, here in Portland!!! Last week I already saw blooming Camelia bushes downtown and now this!!! - Good thing is that its only a little bit and I think (well I hope) that the snowstorm in December taught people how to drive, or not drive in snow...

Hello there...

Yes, I am still here...Portland is still fantastic and yes there are so many links to Germany. Sorry if you were looking for new posts and saw nothing...

Lots of things are going on next week. First the Annual Election at the General Meeting at the German American Society of Portland on January 28th. Are you a member? Are you interested in becoming a member? Maybe you want to check it out. More details are in the new Journal.

Second thing is that we have been planning a ladies night out for the last Saturday this month. There will be over 20 of us hanging out at Edgefield this coming weekend :)

On a personal level, we are starting to look when to travel to Europe this year. Our oldest will be starting Kindergarten in the fall so this is really the last year we could leave early in the season...I think that we will make it contingent on finding great airfares...

Have a great day everyone....

Spring has sprung...OK not quite but today it sure feels like it...

Why do I love PDX so much? One of the reasons is that in January there can be fantastic weather. Yup, and today is just such a day. The girls and I went to OMSI, afterwards we rested on a bench along the river. Yes, we sat outside on a bench enjoying the sunshine :) I also noticed today that the crocuses are already well on there way. How exciting.

So what does this have to do with being German in PDX? Well I admit not much but I do not remember having ever been able to sit outside on a bench enjoying the sunshine in January :)

Have a great day.

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...

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...

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...

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.

What's for dinner?

It is fall and I am ready for full-flavored, stew type meals. So you may wonder, are there only German meals in our home? Not at all...I am just thinking about this. It was Chili on Monday- OK I am caught leftovers from the Laternenwalk on Saturday :); German Potato-Leek Soup on Tuesday; a Hungarian type of Chicken Paprika with Knoedel on Wednesday - OK also very Germanic; and today we had Cauliflower-Potato Curry...with lots of ginger

So what does this have to do with being German in PDX? Well honestly not much, but writing this down proves to me that no matter what my kitchen is still very Germanic based :)

Election Day...

The big day was finally here and at long last we are no longer inundated with political ads. In all aspects this was a historical race. An African-American running for President, and on the other side a woman running for Vice-President. I have never seen such excitement about politics. People wearing their buttons, T-Shirts, bumper stickers, etc. proclaiming you has their vote. I do not recall having ever seen anything like that in Germany. But truth be said, I have been living in the States for a very long time. So please let me know if you feel that is incorrect. Are people in Germany showing their "color" by admitting whom they support?

We spent the election day evening at our friends house on the other side of PDX. Driving back home on Hawthorne, there were fireworks (yup - fireworks), people on the streets dancing, cheering, crying, drumming...This is (to draw an analogy) how I imagine the streets in Germany were when the German soccer team made it to the finals in the 2006 World Cup. But to see this to celebrate an election...

Hello from Germany...Brezeln

We are on holiday in Tuttlingen...and the Brezeln here are just great :)

We are having a great time and are enjoying the Sauna, nature, as well as great German food...

A hot day in Portland...

It has been hot here...really hot, almost 100F hot. Our high today was around 95 degrees (35 degrees) and it was almost unbearable. We do not have air conditioning here as generally it really does not get this hot. A few days a year, and we thankfully do not have the humidity that is a hallmark of the Midwest. So what to do on such a hot day? Too hot for the zoo, OMSI is probably too crowded with people wanting to take advantage of the air conditioning...so we decided to go swimming. I have to admit first that swimming here (or anywhere in the US) is not my favorite thing. Why? I honestly think that the pools in Germany just have so much more to offer. For example here is the link to Tuwas in Tuttlingen http://www.tuwass.de/0_home1_kurz.htm. As for outdoor pools (Freibad) they ALWAYS an area where you can lay. ALWAYS grass, trees, water playground, restaurant, drinks, playground, etc. , check it out at http://www.tuwass.de/0_home1_kurz.htm. The surrounding lakes, as well as the lake of Constance all have great "Schwimbaeder". OK but now I am getting off track here :) Today we went to Creston Pool here in SE PDX. Guess what? There are actually some strips of grass surrounding the pool (inside the enfenced pool area), you can sit there, if you come early enough you can get a lawn chair...it was GREAT. Still not the same, but for here it was just fantastic. So this is my tip of the day...Creston pool in SE PDX where you will find some grass to lie in :) Here is the link http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?action=ViewPark&PropertyID=1107&searchtext=creston Have fun swimming and stay cool...

Germans on Mount Hood...

This weekend we are spending in Government Camp. Saturday we drove up to Mount Hood and Timberline Lodge. German friends of ours came along and we took a short little walk around Timberline Lodge. On our walk we ran into another German which I just recently met. She was showing off the mountain to a friend who was visiting from Germany.

Isn't it amazing that you meet people you know outside of town? Really amazing to me...I do not remember ever meeting people we knew by accident either in Chicago, or in the outlying areas.

We ate dinner at the restaurant of Timberline Lodge and there was another German couple. Later I hung out with our girls in the lodge area where we met another German/American family. I know I keep repeating myself but it is just amazing how many Germans are in Portland, and Oregon.

Fun at Fubonn Shopping Center - aka the largest Asian Shopping Center in Oregon

Friday before the German Spielgruppe the girls and I had so time to kill. We needed some food so I thought about going to Fubonn. At 9:15 AM the mall was close to empty, great '80s music, merry-go-rounds, and a ton of interesting stuff to look at. Fubonn has the largest Asian grocery section around and it is so fun. Lychee's by the bag; whole large fish, live oysters, live mussels, live crabs...besides that a HUGE selection of rice cookers, woks, big (and I mean really big) bags of rice, mochi, Chinese beer, any type of Asian food, condiment etc., you can think of. But you know what else they have? HARIBO...yup exactly "Haribo macht Kinder froh und Erwachsne ebeso"...sweets I grew up with. I also saw Toblerone, packaged Marmor Kuchen, how much fun we had. We danced, sang, bought a couple of interesting looking items, and the girls also rode the merry-go-round :)

In the mall there is also a store offering nothing but tea, tea cups, etc.; a Sheisheido store; Chinese bakery...just amazing. Look at it here http://www.fubonn.com/index.php

After our excursion we went to the Spielgruppe, then back to the all American world. I have to say that it one of our "multicultural" days.