Had a blast Trick-or-Treating...

Happy Halloween & All Saints Day Eve!

So it's been over a week now since we've stopped using our air conditioning. I'm telling ya it was a hot May through September here in Texas! Most native Texans have told us it's been the hottest summer in years. Anyhow, I'm back to drinking hot tea in the morning and James finally gets to sport the cute footed fleece pajamas my girlfriend Angie got him for his birthday.

This early evening Madeline had dance class. I usually take James to a near by park to play while Madeline is at the dance studio for an hour. Here are a few cute shots I got of him. Oom David and Tante Armilyn recognize my outfit? James is finally getting to wear the fall/winter hand-me-down clothes from Alexander.

Miss Michelle told Madeline and her dance mates they could wear their Halloween costumes to class this week. Here are a few shots...the one below Madeline happened to be standing right in front of the door.

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween & All Saints Day Eve!

My Favorite Dutch Snacks

I just recently joined a Dutch group on Facebook and one of the discussions on the bulletin board was, "Favorite Dutch Food". Boy after reading through this discussion it got my taste buds watering! And it doesn't help that it's finally beginning to feel like Fall weather here in Texas, for me cold weather = eat lots of food! :-)

So I thought it would be fun to make a blog post about my favorite Dutch snacks, displaying some photos and details about them (so my non-Dutch family and friends get an idea of what the heck I'm talking about!). And then I'd like my commenter's to leave a comment listing their favorite "heritage" snacks - and yes that can mean American snacks/food!

STROOPWAFEL

or SYRUP WAFFLE or CARAMEL COOKIE Dutch for “syrup waffle,” stroopwafels are Dutch cookies made from two round waffle-like wafers with a sweet syrup or caramel filling in the middle. Stroopwafels are an old Dutch treat, invented in Gouda in 1784. The traditional way to eat them is with a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa. Just before it is eaten, the stroopwafel is placed on top of the hot cup in order to soften it up; the filling melts, and scents of cinnamon and nutmeg are released into the air.

KROKETS

Kroket, Croquet or Croquette. It was always believed to be invented by the Dutch, but it was based on a French concept: "Ragout". Nevertheless the Dutch were persistent and moulded the precious French Jewel into a more commercial form. A Kroket is, if prepared correctly, some ragout, mixed with for example Beef or Chicken, given extra finesse by the addition of special herbs. This ragout is surrounded by a crispy layer of breadcrumbs. I like to eat mine with a dollop of mustard on top!

PATAT met fritesaus

Translated...french fries with Dutch mayonnaise sauce! Also called frites sometimes, this is the quintessential Dutch fast food. Often served in a sno-cone with sauce on top. Sometimes served with a gravy sauce (poutine). Whenever Stephen would order these in Holland, he'd still ask for ketchup! LOL

OLIEBOLLEN
Oliebollen (literally oil balls) are traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve. That's when my mom would make them. It's a round dough that is fried (much like a doughnut), sometimes made with raisins, and sprinkled with powdered sugar. YUMMY!

HAGELSLAG

Commonly known in Holland as Puur Chocolade Muisjes or Hagel or Dark Chocolate Sprinkles. How I grew up eating them...sprinkled on a piece of lightly buttered bread.

I wonder what American food/snacks I would long for if I lived out of the States? Hhhmm, maybe in another blog post. Okay time for you to comment and list yours!

Out in the town of Elgin...

Tante Pop turns 101!

What a celebration of life! This weekend on October 25th Tante Pop turns 101 years old, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TANTE POP!!! This summer in June we were able to visit Tante Pop in Las Vegas. I loved seeing the smile on her face. When we arrived she was actually sleeping but James ran back in her room, he started gently tapping her arm...her eyes opened up and she had a big smile on her face.

It was priceless!

I found some interesting facts about the year Tante Pop was born so I thought I'd share...

The YEAR 1907

• The population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30!!!!
• The average life expectancy in the U.S. Was 47 years old.
• Only 14 percent of the homes in the U.S. Had a bathtub .
• Only 8 percent of the homes had a telephone.
• There were only 8,000 cars in the U.S., and only 144 miles of paved roads.
• The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
• Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee were each more Heavily populated than California.
• The tallest structure in the world was the Eiffel Tower!
• The average U.S. Worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
• More than 95 percent of all births in the U.S. Took place at HOME.
• Most women only washed their hair once a month, and used Borax or egg yolks for shampoo.
• Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea Hadn't been invented yet.
• Two out of every 10 U.S. Adults couldn't read or write.
  
  

Neighborhood Halloween Party

The home builder in our neighborhood threw a Halloween party this evening at the model homes. They had a bounce house for the kids. And lots of food including BBQ chicken and beef brisket and drinks including a margarita machine and soda and punch. Stephen had to work this evening so I took the kids myself. They filled up on cookies and cupcakes. It was a fun time with my Snow White and Cowboy. :-)

Learning her Faith

Madeline is thoroughly enjoying her CCD class at church. She loves the songs that Miss Ruby teaches the class. They always do fun arts and crafts while learning about God. In this weeks class along with their crafts they were sent home with a Rosary. (Madeline and James already have beautiful rosaries from Uncle Kevin and Aunt Stormy that were blessed by Pope John Paul II while they were on their trip in Rome) Though Madeline does not grasp yet this tradition of devotional prayers, she enjoyed counting all the beads and I told her that the number of beads going round and round are a great example of the infinite times she can pray to God. Madeline is very devoted about saying her Bedtime prayer, we say it together but often times after I turn out the light and walk out of her room I can hear Madeline "talking" to God. :-) I love the coloring pamphlets she gets sent home with because on the back of them is a "For My Family" section with small inserts about sharing the bible story they learned that class, nurturing our children, living our faith together, reflecting on our faith and praying as a family. I noticed there was a website you could visit where you could find games and activities to do with your child and articles to assist you in nurturing the faith of your child. So I wanted to share the website: www.RCLBenzigerPreschool.com.

Madeline's been curious this past week on the subject of "death". It's actually been a bit of a struggle for me to explain to her in a way I think my 4.5 year old would understand and not fear. When she first brought it up she was very concerned about dying. But tonight in the car on the way home from CCD class she said to me, "Mommy when we die we get to go to Heaven to live with God, but Mommy where are we going to sleep in Heaven...we can't stay up all night with God!?". A few moments later she made a comparison and said, "Mommy since we all go to Heaven after we die, that means Mia (her best friend from next door) will go to Heaven too, but if Heaven is big like church with lots and lots of rows of seats...how will Mia find me in Heaven so we can play!?". You gotta love the thinking of a 4 year old. :-)

New header/banner

As you've probably noticed there's a new ohana portrait at the top of my blog! Yup had a great coupon for the Picture People this week...buy 1 sheet get 2 free. Unfortunately James didn't really want to cooperate for the session and did nothing but frown and pout. He didn't want to sit down and pose...he wanted to run around and play! O'well. And would you believe after the session while we're looking at our photos I point to the computer monitor and tell James, "see you were frowning when the lady was trying to take your picture". James looked at us and with a big grin said, "Cheeeeeeessssseeeeee!". What a little stinker. Anyways, any thoughts of my new banner up top?

Isaac

Isaac and James at Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point summer of 2008.

Exactly 3 weeks after our son, James, was born in 2006 one of our best friends, Albert & Angela Fanoga gave birth to their son, Isaac. And today is his 2nd birthday. Happy Birthday Isaac!!! Madeline and James miss playing with you and your sister. We hope you have a fantastic day!

Don't cry...

"Waaaa...don't ya just feel like crying!?"

The Red Sox's postseason run came to an end with a 3-1 loss to the Rays in Game 7 of the ALCS tonight. I had to call Stephen at work with the bad news. Red Sox, you gave us a great season and we will forever remain loyal fans win or loose.

October & Red Sox Nation

I love watching football and baseball games with my husband. I've become a true sports fan because of him. So I thought I'd post this today as the BOSOX have a BIG game 6 tonight.

October...
the high fly ball,
arches out above left field,
hangs there in the sky
outblazing the sun while fifty thousand heads swings and cry
"Over the wall! Over the wall!"

then hold, fixed and dumb
as the ball drops
down and down,
a dead bird
into a waiting glove

and there you have it: the song,
the flight, the perilous whisper of truth
or of love or possibly of faith

then the descent
and the end of the game

by Hester Jewell Dawson

And a blurb from "A poem to get you through the night..." by Mike Savio

So here’s some advice from a local Sox fan
Please try to get it right if you can:
Say “Wall”; not “Green Monster”
Pronounce “Pahk” with no “R”
Produce like you’ve been doing and you’ll be a star.

The “bleachers” are in right field
Pesky’s Pole’s “down the line”
Say “I hate the Yankees” and you’ll fit in just fine.

GO RED SOX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update...Oma is being brought home from the hospital right now. Her pneumonia is better. The doctor also assigned hospice care for her, so a nurse will be coming to see her at home 3 times a week. Which is good. Her first visit is this evening, the nurse's name is Melissa - so my mom thought that was great and it would be easy for Oma to remember. :-) Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers everyone!

63 today!

Stephen with his mom and dad back in 1994.

It's Dad's 63rd birthday today!!! Happy Birthday Dad! Lots of hugs and kisses for Poppi from Madeline and James!!! Dad is a pretty amazing guy. So hard working and always placing his family first. He is so gentle and patient with the grand kids, you can tell he really makes the most of his time when he spends it with them. We feel blessed to have him in our lives, and I know Stephen is honored to have been born to such an incredible father.

We love and miss you so much!

Have a terrific day!

We'll call you via the web cam and Skype later today.

Madeline about to give her Poppi a kiss. :-)

Homemade Pumpkin Bread

This afternoon I attempted to make some pumpkin bread. Using my banana bread recipe I just substituted the 2 bananas for a small can of pumpkin filling. Smelled great while baking and tasted pretty good, our friends next door (I gave them a loaf) said they liked it. So I thought I'd share the recipe. My only complaint was that it was a little too moist in the center, maybe less pumpkin filling or more flour next time.

• 1/2 cup of butter (softened)
• 1 1/2 cup of sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tsp of vanilla
• 1 Tsp of baking soda
• 1 cup of sour cream
• 1 small can of pumpkin filling
• 2 cups of flour

Mix all ingredients together. Pour into 2 loaf pans. Sprinkle spices, sugar and cinnamon on top. Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes.

Please keep Oma in your prayers

Today Oma was admitted to the hospital. My Dad took her to the doctor's today because she fell this morning after using the restroom. Testing showed she has a Walking Pneumonia, so because of her age they wanted to keep her overnight at the hospital. Tonight when I picked Madeline up from C.C.D. class at church I said a special prayer for Oma. Please keep her in your prayers...

All praise and glory are yours, Lord our God. For you have called us to serve you and one another in love. Bless our sick today, especially Oma, so that they may bear their illness in union with Jesus' sufferings and restore them quickly to health. Bless those who have grown old in your service and give them courage and strength in their faith. Lead us all to eternal glory. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Mother of Perpetual Help pray for us.

More Birthday Wishes

Jan Melle with his sons Yoram and Yair.

My cousin in Holland, Rachel, who celebrated her birthday this past Monday shares her birthday month with her husband Jan Melle. Happy birthday Jan Melle!!! Praying baby Yair is doing better and coming home from the hospital soon so you can enjoy your family. Hartelijk gefeliciteerd!

**Note, I did it again same as last year, my birthday wishes are early and JM's birthday is actually on 10/18. I'll get it right next year! ;-)

My first cousin, Diane with her granddaughter, Abigail.

These are belated birthday wishes for my 2nd cousin Amanda and her daughter Abigail who turned 1! Amanda, we received Abigail's 1st birthday invite, it was so cute and we hope she had a fabulous birthday party this past Sunday - sorry we couldn't be in town for it! And belated wishes to you too for celebrating your birthday this past Monday. I can tell you are really enjoying motherhood and are very happy - I'm so happy for you!

Me with my 2nd cousins Michelle and Amanda

(she was pregnant in this photo with her daughter Abigail).

Since the begining of time...

...there had always been Red Sox fans. :-)

This afternoon we took the kids to the Dinoland Exhibit at the Botanical Gardens in Zilker Park near downtown Austin. My husband thought it would be humorous to step into one of the exhibits to show off his loyalty to the Red Sox.

We had actually planned to take Oma here a few weeks back, she even bought the kids dinosaurs (Madeline is holding hers). But then we realized the weekend she was here the Austin City Limits was going on in Zilker Park.

The gardens were beautiful, I'd love to go back and take my time (we had to be back home by 3:30pm to catch the Red Sox game) and walk around the grounds again.

The exhibits were pretty realistic looking.

James thought the dinosaurs were TOO COOL.

This evening him and his dinosaur took a bath together. :-)