We're moving! To WordPress, that is.

Greetings family and friends. I just wanted to let you know that this site Simple Things will no longer be in use after this posting.

You are invited to stop over at WordPress and view our new blog:

"To Put it Simply" http://toputitsimply.wordpress.com/

If you are a frequent reader, be sure to update your favorites and links.

See you later!

Robin

funny face

Don and I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to Don's Mom, Linda!

Mom, we wish we could celebrate this day with you at your favorite restaurant (El Burro) but this post will have to do this year. I thought that if we can't be there with you, at least we can bring you a couple of pictures of two people you miss a lot, and who wouldn't be here if not for you!

Enjoy scrolling through the following pictures of Donnie and Karin. I found an amusing collection of Don's infamous way of smiling for the camera I thought you would appreciate. At least in most of them he has hair. (sigh...)I miss those days.



We love you,

Donnie & Robin

Bologna, Homburgers and fries

Saturday morning Don and I woke up early, made a pot of coffee to go and drove to Homburg, a university town about a half hour from us close to the French border for a giant outdoor antique/flea market. Over the years we've heard about the great deals you can find on some pretty impressive pieces of antique furniture, art and porcelain. They were right! I was in antique heaven, and will definitely be back next month.

Nook joined us on this outing and quickly became a superstar. Little kids would come running from across the markt platz (market place) saying "kann ich pet Ihren Hund? (can I pet your dog?), and several adults stopped to ask his name.

We walked around for about three hours and by the time we made it back to the car Nook was very tired. It is times like this we are reminded that he is an older dog- 12 years (that's like 84 in human years). He slept the whole way home stretched out on the backseat and he didn't move for the rest of the day!

In other news, preparations are underway for what I am now calling Don's 30th birthday "Extravaganza." One of Don's oldest friends, Rich (who was the best man in our wedding) is flying over for his birthday on the 23rd of this month. If the picture below is any indication, I think we are in for a some laughs.

We are planning (and saving) for a big road trip to Belgium and Luxembourg via Dusseldorf. Unfortunatley, I will have to go back to work and will not be able to join the them as the travel on to Italy to meet one of Rich's friends who works for Lambourgini in Bologna (for a tour and some pasta), and then on to Dublin for a few days. Lucky boys....

I am just a little envious and am using this post an open invitation to my girlfriends- want to celebrate my 30th birthday in Spain, Portugal or Morroco this September? Anyone? Anyone?

evidence of things unseen

her faith
she used to have
it all together
her faith
was strong
she used to know the
answers and where
to find them
her faith was strong
she prayed
she spoke
she believed
in all the book
had to say
her faith was strong
and then
she read
and kept going
she read the words
and started to wonder
is this the god i really
want to believe in
does this make sense
this religion
this way
how many times
does she have to redefine it
to make sense
to be ok
to not be so horrible.
her faith
she said
was not built on evidence
but on faith of others
teachers
preachers
the more she read
the more she listened
the more she thought
she asked herself
is this really the book
i want to put my faith in
is this really the god
i want to trust
her faith was strong
she said
at one time
and maybe it
still is
maybe the faith not
to believe
the way she did
is really what faith is
all about

http://heretogoal.blogspot.com/

Sorry folks, slow week for blogs.

This week is a slow one for blogging, so I am resorting to a topic that may or may not be of interest to you. Dog hair. It has been a true test for Don and I to let go of our mutual disdain of clutter, germs, and more recently dog hair (some close to us would probably describe us as anal). Being a Husky, Nook is always shedding. Always. Sometimes when he walks by you can actually see a little trail of dog hair collecting behind him. We have purchased so many lint rollers that we have considered investing in the company 3M that makes them!

Bath time is another interesting experience. Nook has survived two baths with us, the first time it took both of us almost an hour to get him in the tub, scrubbed and dried off. After it was over, Nook was laying in the yard as far away from us as possible and Don and I were drenched head to toe. We looked at each other and Don sighed "he just kicked our a**, which was the truth.

We were determined do better this time, so with "The Dog Whisperer" Cesar Milans' wise words we tried a different approach. Don spent a lot of time coaxing Nook into the bathroom with his favorite treat- lunch meat. After about 20 minutes he was actually sitting on the floor of the bathroom. When he was relaxed Don started to coax him into the tub, with a little help he eventually climbed into the tub. When he was relaxed again, Don started the entire process over again. And again. After repeating this three times, Nook was climbing in and out of the bathtub without resistance and we decided to implement phase 2 of our re-conditioning program.

Bath time was progressing smoothly, I even had a chance to snap a few pictures mid- bath.

After half a day of drying his super absorbent coat of hair, he was ready for a good brushing. Enter the best invention ever created for dog owners..."The Furminator" (see picture below). This fabulous tool helps to cut down shedding- 60-70%. Notice the pile of dog hair that came off of Nooks left leg- just his left leg. Yeah, he sheds alot.

You can find "The Furminator" at http://www.petedge,com It is a must for any dog owner.

I've gotta run, it's time to vacuum.

Do chickens have large talons?

Yesterday Don and I joined our friends the Bryant's at the nearby castle and wild park. After a week of dreary overcast weather it was so nice to be out in the sun. Potzberg sits on top of a hill about 30 minutes northwest of our village, Ramstein. The views are amazing- when the weather cooperates! Here is the website, http://http://wildpark.potzberg.de/default.htm

sorry it's in German- but the pictures are awesome. We even had the chance to see a birds of prey show, which was thrilling to say the least. We sat about 4 feet from a huge Bald Eagle- check out the pictures below.

We dubbed him "The Bird Whisperer."

A bald eagle flew inches above our heads.

He actually brushed across some peoples heads!

Don finally saw a wild boar- they are mean and smelly little buggers.

Don feeding a moose by hand- kind of sad when you think about.

A nice view of the Rheinland -Pfalz region of Germany.

An albino deer, not skinny sheep as I first thought!

Die Schwarzwald

I have been meaning to share with you our recent trip to the Black Forest or "Schwarzwald." Since we adopted Nook time has flown by! I can't believe it was over a month and a half since we visited. We really enjoyed our day trip and discovered a unique part of German culture very different from any other region we have traveled through. Allow me to share the highlights with you.

The Schwarzwald is a dense, thick, dark (black forest) with very rough terrain- steep mountains and deep valleys that stretch over 100 miles across the southwest corner of Germany along the French border. Few people lived in this part of the country and those that did worked very hard to survive. As a result people who lived here were isolated from the rest of society and some interesting customs relating to marriage and courtship developed.

The Black Forest is probably best known for it's famous Cuckoo Clock- an obnoxious contraption that will never grace the walls of my home. I did take a picture of a giant cuckoo clock that really works (see above), which was impressive to watch...once. Don and I even visited a cuckoo clock museum where we learned that the first clock was copied from a Bohemian mechanical clock around 1640.

Besides Cuckoo Clocks, this region is also known for the delicious traditional dessert - Black Forest Cake. Every restaurant in the town of Triberg claims to have "der beste Schwarzwald Kuchen," but we could only sample one slice- which definitely lived up to its reputation. The secret we are told is the kirsch wasser (or, cherry water) liquer used to flavor the yummy cherry filling.

Back to the interesting customs I mentioned earlier. You have probably noticed the picture of the young girls with funny looking red pom-poms on their hats. When ladies were of courting age (which was, by the way, thirteen), available ladies wore the traditional "Bollenhut"- a straw hat decorated with 14 red pom-poms. Married women wore hats with black pom-poms on them. When a young girl was married she wore a Schappel, a ceremonial hat covered in tiny glass balls, beads and pearls (picture a basketball with beads and pearls stuck to it). The Schappel could weigh up to 15 pounds. We got to see a Schappel on display at the Cuckoo Clock museum.

Working on the family farm was a very important tradition, and was always passed on to the oldest son. Younger siblings would stay work on the farm, and the older brother would provide them a home. When he was looking to marry, he could invite an available girl to stay with him in a small house next to the farm house, where they could attempt to become pregnant. When the young woman was obviously pregnant, a marriage ceremony would take place. If he and his "intended" were unable to produce an heir, he was within his rights to move on and attempt with another woman- until he was successful.

Houses in the Black Forest were both house and barn- all in one. Animals would be housed in a middle section in the lower level, with a hallway surrounding it. This insulated the heat created by the animals. The living quarters where the family lived was located above the barn. Heat rises, and so the family stayed warm through the harsh winters- a primitive form of heated flooring! Hay was stored in the top section of the home above the living quarters and helped keep the heat in and the cold wind out. I can't even imagine what these homes smelled like inside!

If you are interested, here is a recipe for Traditional Black Forest Cake (which was served at my wedding):

• 1 chocolate sponge cake
• 2 TBSP Kirschwasser (clear cherry liquer),
• 1 lb 4 oz pie cherries
• 2 oz sugar
• 1 oz corn flour
• 1 pt fresh cream
• 3 pkgs plain gelatin
• 1 pkg vanilla- sugar
• grated chocolate

1. Separate cherries from juice, bring 1/2 pt juice to boil. Add the mixed corn flour, boil for 1 min. Add cherries and the "Kirsch," let it cool.
2. Whip cream with sugar & vanilla- sugar, add the melted gelatin.
3. Cut the chocolate sponge cake in three layers. Cover the first layer with cream & cherries, add the second layer of cake and repeat for 3 layers.
4. Cover the whole cake with cream, sprinkle with grated chocolate and garnish with cherries.

Guten Apetit!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom.

This post is for my Mom. It's hard being so far away from family on the days set apart to honor and celebrate them. It doesn't get any easier after several years either. Phone calls are wonderful and I looked forward to each conversation, but it always feels like we are always catching up with each other. I'd love to not have anything to catch up on!

My Mom really is my best friend. She is my confidant, my encourager and my "hiney kicker" when I need it. She is my earthly example of compassion, genuine love and kindness. I am so proud to be her daughter and friend.

Mom, thank you for living out God's love for me. I love you.

Viva! el Cinco de Mayo!

So today is Cinco de Mayo, and instead of just enjoying great food I decided to do some research about the holiday. I found it to be interesting reading... http://latino.sscnet.ucla.edu/cinco.html
It is no secret that Don and I share a deep mutual appreciation for Mexican food, and so I spent the afternoon cooking our favorites. We have had to adjust to the shortage of quality "authentico" mexican food, so I have been working on perfecting a few recipes.

Today I feel like sharing them with you...

Oaxacan Tacos
Prep Time: 15 MinutesCook Time: 15 Minutes
Ready In: 30 MinutesYields: 9 servings

Traditional Mexican tacos, simple and delicious!
INGREDIENTS:
2 pounds top sirloin steak, cut
into thin strips
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup vegetable oil
18 (6 inch) corn tortillas
1 medium onion, diced
4 fresh jalapeno peppers,
seeded and chopped
4 limes, cut into wedges
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
DIRECTIONS:
1.Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the steak strips, stirring constantly, until browned on the outside and cooked through, but not too firm, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove to a plate and keep warm.
2.Heat the oil in the skillet, and quickly fry each tortilla on both sides, until lightly browned and flexible. Set aside, and keep warm.
3.Place tortillas on a plate, and top with steak strips, onion, jalapeno, and cilantro to taste. Squeeze lime juice over. Wrap and eat.

Garlic Marinade
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Ready In: 5 MinutesYields: 8 servings

This sauce/marinade goes well with any type of grilled meat. It gives lots of flavor, the longer the meat marinades, the more flavorful it will be.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons crushed garlic
1 tablespoon salt
2 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
1.In a blender or food processor, combine olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Process for 3 to 5 minutes.

Low-Fat Refried Beans
Prep Time: 20 MinutesCook Time: 2 Hours
Ready In: 2 Hours 20 MinutesYields: 8 servings

This recipe is so simple and tasty you'll never go back to canned refried beans.
INGREDIENTS:
14 ounces dried pinto or red
beans
7/8 large onion, quartered
2-3/4 garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2-3/4 drops hot pepper sauce
DIRECTIONS:
1.Place beans in a Dutch oven; add water to cover by 2 in. Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain beans; discard liquid. Return beans to pan; add water to cover. Add onion and garlic; bring to a boil. Cover and cook over low heat for 2 hours or until beans are very tender, adding water to keep covered if needed. Discard onion and garlic. Mash beans with a potato masher, leaving some beans whole. Stir in cumin and hot pepper sauce.

Ultimate Frozen Strawberry Margarita

Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Ready In: 5 MinutesYields: 4 servings

A near perfect strawberry margarita with frozen strawberries and limeade concentrate.
INGREDIENTS:
6 fluid ounces tequila
2 fluid ounces triple sec
8 ounces frozen sliced
strawberries in syrup
4 fluid ounces frozen limeade
concentrate
DIRECTIONS:
1.Fill a blender with ice and crush. Pour in the tequila and triple sec. Add the strawberries and limeade. Blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Serve in margarita glasses with the rims dipped in powdered sugar.

Breaking old habits

I know this may seem like a strange thing to write about after reading my last post but I'm going to share it anyway!

Anyone who works at improving themselves by eating healthy and exercising regularly has moments of weakness, and some days are harder than others. For the last 11 weeks I participated in a "Fitness Challenge" sponsored by the Health and Wellness Center on base along with several of my coworkers (none of which ordered a giant schnitzel in the previous post below).

Our team competed against other offices on base and earned points by exercising and eating fruits and vegetables. We also had to write down fitness goals that we worked towards. I found the accountablity to be extremely helpful and encouraging.

My fitness goals included:

1. Eat a minimum of 4 pieces of fruit each day.
2. Drink at least 1 liter of water each day.
3. Exercise 5 days a week alternating between water aerobics on Monday and Thursday and jogging at the track Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
4. Drop a size in pants by the end of the challenge

I am pleased to say that I have accomplished my goals (even the last one!) and I feel great. I sleep better at night, I wake up easier in the morning and I crave fruit- even over chocolate! I certainly had my moments of weakness, but for the most part I stuck to the plan.

One of my teammates sent the comics below, I thought they were so funny- and so true. We can justify anything if we want it bad enough, even if we will regret it later.

Super Size This.

A few Saturdays ago my co-workers from Airman & Family Readiness set out on a team/morale building road trip with our spouses and families in tow to dine at the (in)famous Waldgeist Restaurant known for its distubingly generous portions. Click here for more photos, but I must give you fair warning, you may just lose your appetite:
http://www.restaurant-waldgeist.com/ia-fotoalbum.php





I sat next to my boss (and one of my favorite people) Susan, and directly across from her son Ian. He convinced his parents to let him order the gross (large) schnitzel. This is the before shot...and the after shot, you couldn't even tell he ate any of it!











Germans love their beer, but this is ridiculous! The smallest beer is a 2 liter glass of it. These guys were having a great time, they had to stand up to take a sip from the giant glass. I am not a big fan of German cuisine, in fact it took me over a year to even try schnitzel and even longer to eat a bratwurst, so this was a big step for me!

Don and I did not gorge ourselves either, we shared a klein (small) schnitzel and still had leftovers. Don did, however order a 2 liter heiferweisen which came in a boot.


Probst!

The Great Escape (artist that is).

It would appear that our new dog Nook has a few tricks up his sleeve. Don and I adopted Nook from the shelter on Wednesday afternoon. I spent the rest of the day at home with him while he checked out the house from top to bottom. I had to go back to work on Thursday and Friday, but came home at lunch to check on him and take him on a walk.
My coworkers were very excited that we were adopting Nook. My awesome and wonderful boss Susan wanted to meet him, so I invited her to my house for lunch yesterday. As I was unlocking the door I noticed that Nook was not waiting at the front door as he likes to do. In fact he was no where in sight. His leash was hanging by the door, but no Nook!
I started freaking out, I couldn't figure out how the door was shut but he was missing! I called Don and for the next 4 hours we searched our village praying that we would find him. I am happy to say that someone did find him and brought him to a local Veterinarian in our village. The vet called the Kaiserslautern Tiernheim (animal shelter) and they picked him up. Our neighboors/landlord started calling around while Don and I were searching by car and on foot, when they happened to call the shelter that confirmed they had Nook.
We drove the 10km to the shelter as fast as our little white ghetto wagon could take us, paid the 10 euro and brought him back home. He was exhausted and filthy dirty, but he was home and that is all that mattered.
The only explanation we can think of is that he was able to push down on the front door- which has a handle not a doorknob. I had left a couple of windows open and the draft probably shut the front door after him (although we aren't counting out the possiblity that he can also shut doors behind him).
It has been an eventful week for Nook! Don and I have freed him from two (that's 2) doggie prisons in 48 hours. We now have to lock the deadbolt whenever we leave the house. Let's see him unlock the front door now!
Since Nook is 12 years old (13 in July) there is no sense in changing his name, but we are considering giving him a middle name Houdini...he sort of earned it!
We are reading up on dogs with separation anxiety, so please let us know if you have any suggestions!

They call it puppy love

This week Don and I will become the proud owners of a Siberian Husky named Nook.

Here is a picture of our new friend and companion:

We discovered Nook at a local military animal shelter. We had originally planned to meet a small Yorkshire Terrier named Bailey (who turned out to be a crazy devil dog), when we noticed the very sweet, and mellow husky in the pen next to the Yorkie.

While we spoke with the caretaker of the animals, I noticed that Don kept looking over my shoulder at this dog in the pen behind me. He finally asked the lady why Nook was at the shelter. She explained that a month ago his family of 12 years turned him in because they didn't think that he would live much longer. It was so sad to think that after years of caring for this dog they could just leave him to spend his last years in a loud and smelly animal shelter.

Don and I looked at each other and that was that. We knew that we wanted to bring him home to live with us, even if it is for a short time. We spent some time with him and spoke with the Veterinarian at the shelter as to his health and life expectancy- they did not agree with the family that Nook was close to dying and actually begged the family to keep him. He may be an older dog but he is still very alert and active, they believe that he has a few good years left in him.

We are very excited to finally have a pet of our own, and plan to include him in many of our trips and jaunts around Germany. Apparently he loves to ride in the car.

Expect to see a lot of Nook in future postings!

Robin