The ABC's of Trip Reporting- PLEASE JOIN US ON THE NEW THREAD!

[All7OfUs]

All that food has me drooling!

As for the P, I am having a hard time! Here's what I think..the font looks like it would be something from Pop, but I'm not sure what!

Hi TG!

I think it's become an official drool-o-rama around here!

Points for P coming up soon!

And Liesa,
Yummy yummy yummy! I do have a love affair with bread, and I'll say that the bread-centric picture without the meat wins for me! Oh and about that super secret Disney bank account. I honestly never thought about doing that... I certainly will now!

Thanks for sharing a wonderful looking meal with even more wonderful looking company!

Ooohh, I'd hate to be aiding and abetting in a crime such as opening a super-secret Disney account, Buuuuuuuuuuutttt, it sure is nice knowing that it is slowly, slowly building with all that spare change. You know, like the kind you find buried deep in your couch cushions along with mystery hair balls, forks with specks of old peanut butter, and the flashstick that's been missing a few weeks.

Looks like a delicious spread of gourmet fare. Was that homemade pretzel bread?!!? Oh my gosh A-mazing!!! Plus beer and wine? Who could've asked for more?

It WAS!!! I can't remember what yummy peach colored condiment in a little bowl was- oh yes, a cheese spread stuff that was so so soooooooooo yummy!! Spread on the pretzels (because even pretzel bread is merely a vehicle for what is spread upon it) was to die for!

I don't think anything could have topped that evening- one of the best of my whole life- really.

Hahahaha.... good one! (except for the vile part! )

No, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Beer is gross.

LOL look.... you are already getting spoiled. Just a few months ago you would of taken a dirty bathroom with no TP as long as it didn't explode on you when you flushed the toilet!!!!

I know. Call me a sissy.

What a great spread! And look Heinz Ketchup!!!!!!!!

We could only get Heinz the last couple months we were in Kazland, so we became used to none at all. The local stuff was about as tasty as beer. I didn't try any ketchup, because sausages simply MUST have mustard!!

Was all the bread homemade? I could eat that whole basket... I guess that wouldn't taste very good. I could eat all the bread in that basket. Yes, that's IT!

Glad you wordsmithed that one Tim. Eating baskets can be very bad for one's constitution- or so I hear. Well, actually, I've never had anyone tell me they've eaten a bread basket- but I imagine it'd be really bad.

I like the 2nd pic better.

I like the meatcentic one myself. The fork seems shiny in it.

What a great evening with your gracious hosts. How nice of them to have you and your family as their guests.

It was so sweet of them!! If they ever come to the Great Northwest, I hope we can reciprocate!!

LOL I just had a not so lovely image show up in my head....

I think you can bear-ry it!

GREAT UPDATE!!!!!!

Why thank you sir!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Oh the ham!!! Yum!

I understand your comment completely! I don't know what Turkey is like but it was sometime a NO-GO with pork of ANY kind. I REALLY missed good old bacon, ham, and especially AMerican-style breakfast sausage!

I was going to wait patiently for the second letter, but then I happened to see a picture of this sign without searching for it!! The problem is: there is another sign showing the same name as well.... Sending you a PM now!!

I think there are enough of you all who guessed right without the need of a second letter- so I'm going to give the points/answer tonight.

 

[All7OfUs]

What a fabulous update. Looks like everyone had such a nice time. And the food-oh yummy. Especially the bread!!!

THanks Mary!! I sure had fun writing it! Yes, yummy, yummy food. I wish this update had fallen in line with letter Y.

Okay, I'm drooling now! Thanks so much for the bread porn! What wonderful hosts you had - and a clean toilet to boot!!!


Secret D account- I had the same reaction - think I'm on that one! We traded in our spare change for our cruise and had enough to pay for our hotel rooms! It proves that every little bit gets you toward your goal!

Well, the clean potty was sure a welcome sight!! Ranks right up there with the gifts they gave us- which I am now realizing I completely left out of my update, so will now have to backtrack some.

Super secret Disney accounts are now a national phenomenon- just think I could now be credited with single handedly starting the craze that will pull America out of its slump!!! Imagine the fame and glory!!

Great update, Liesa. The DIS meet sounds great and looks as if you all had a great time. And that food...oh, how I love German food.

I do remember an update or two of yours that involved how much you liked German food- several plates of enjoyment, if I recall.

 

[KatMark]

I do remember an update or two of yours that involved how much you liked German food- several plates of enjoyment, if I recall.

You have a very good memory!

Unfortunately, mine is not as good or I was caught skimmming. Did you have any word on the job?

 

[All7OfUs]

I had to de-lurk to say...Wow, what an amazing evening! It sounds like it would have been amazing even without the delicious food!

!!!! I am so excited you are here!! I see you posting on many of the threads I hang out on; great to have you here too!! Yes, most often it is the company that makes an evening memorable!! The food is really just a bonus, but can't overlooked- especially when it is as good as this!!

Love! Love! Love! The pictures of the gals and family. I think I love the picture best of Magdalene with the bottle of wine too. She looks so cute.

I wanted to make a smart alek comment about how EVERYONE including us had their elbows on the table - go back and look, it's rather comical how we all had identical postures during the conversation.

I do have to say, the bread is truly inspiring, I have a pretzel recipe I've been wanting to make for a while now, pretzels are my DH's and Mackenzie's favorite, now I'll attempt to make them. I'll make the pretzels AND the dinner rolls I was thinking about making for Thanksgiving! Thank you gals!

They are so yummy; if you want to pass your recipe on, by all means...

I've been on a roll (no pun intended) here of late by trying out all kinds of new things, last week I made my own caramel sauce, my own pie crust (which doesn't sound like that big of a deal-I realize) and I do have to say...it takes a bit of finesse to do this and have it come out right. I recently made my mom's birthday cake, double layer with homemade cream cheese frosting, I don't normally take chances to make something like that.

WOW! You've been a VERY busy bee in the kitchen!! OK, pie crust is a major PITA!! I mean it. Whoever made up that assinine saying, "Easy as pie" is a big fat liar. I don't do pies very often, which really irritates Mike because as much as I hate making them, there really is nothing better than homemade Oregon Marion or blackberry pie!!

Maybe getting older and seeing your kids start to disappear makes you more prone to doing these things.

Nah, makes me want to go out to eat more. To bad we're not rich.

Liesa, great update! I've been looking forward to hearing about this part of your trip for a long time. Sounds like a fantastic time was had by all. Now, I have to admit, for some reason the whole visit brings to mind the part in National Lampoon's European Vacation where the Griswolds go to the wrong house when they attempt to visit their long-lost German relatives. Their German hosts were too polite to kick the perfect strangers to the curb and let them stay for a hearty meal and and an overnight in the guest room!

Oh! I got your letter today - thank you! And I'm glad you liked the music and the journal!

I think this was the part that MOST everyone was looking forward to most. Of course, we're just getting warmed up- the hilarious antics of us 3 girls will surely bring about some screen spewing.

I really need to go back and rent those Griswold movies and watch them again. THey were so funny!!

See? Isn't it fun getting a REAL letter??

Hi ya! Your up late. Missed you the other day, I tried calling you.
Everything good with you? Did you get the job?

Everything's good, just way too busy. THis whole stupid car thing is just blech!! I hate it.

Still NO word on the job. I'm starting to think I mis-understood her, and she meant THIS Wednesday, not a week ago.

So Bek is still up as well! I hope all this late night work is paying off for her!

I got the tickets! And I could tell that they were dissappearing quickly. It is the opening weekend for the movie and there are lots and lots of Harry Potter fans here in Germany... We will go out for a meal before the movie, most likely to a themed restaurant which tries to be an American Diner! The movie is 2.5 hours long!

Hip-pi-de-hip, jurah!!! The paper is done, you got your tickets, and I just found a great table wine for $3.99 a bottle at Trader Joe's called Green Fin. Not bad. Anyway, I hope these late night writing sessions are over for a while; if I"m going to write, I'd rather be doing updates!!

I think this was the part of Liesa's trip I was most looking forward to first.

I think a lot of people were looking forward to this- there's just something extra magical about people meeting who share something in common, and find out they have much more in common and forge a friendship!!

 

[All7OfUs]

You have a very good memory!

Unfortunately, mine is not as good or I was caught skimmming. Did you have any word on the job?

Twas a funny moment in DisHistory for sure!!

No, I stil haven't heard. I think I must have misunderstood her, and she meant tomorrow (Wednesday), not last Wednesday. Anyway, if I don't hear tomorrow, I will call and let her know I"m just not interested. 5 weeks of work may not be worth giving up my holiday hosting. If I had gotten a good 8 weeks out of it, I might have been singing a different tune.

 

[All7OfUs]

Ok All,

One more page of replies to do, but it will have to wait until after dinner. I've had two kids get teeth pulled today, and I'm not how the evening is going to go. But I am prepared if I have some free time. Picked myself up some Haagen Dasz Cherry Vanilla ice cream- my spoon is poised. Back later with more.

 

[Poolrat]

While Liesa is eating her ice cream ,Jack Spence on Allears has done a blog on Signs and fonts.


Quick study up before Liesa posts the next letter.

 

[All7OfUs]

While Liesa is eating her ice cream ,Jack Spence on Allears has done a blog on Signs and fonts.


Quick study up before Liesa posts the next letter.

Well, didn't Jackie Boy just steal my thunder!! I wonder if he's been over here horking my ideas??

 

[All7OfUs]

Really enjoyed this update when I read it, but hadn't had the time to do a suitable commentary, so I better get that in before I have TWO updates to comment on!!!

Yeah, IKWIM!! I often delay putting up a reply if I want to harra... er, I mean discuss several topics from an update.

J/K, I do enjoy your commentary a bunch; I do know that it takes a lot of extra effort (and time) to multiquote and think of something to say that is worth saying. Occassionally, I miss the mark and crickets begin to chirp.

Definitely NOT trying to belittle your point, but I can honestly imagine there are quite a few of us on here who would receive such a warm welcome if any of our DISfamily homes were being visited by the others...

Yes, I imagine that there are!!! The invitation stands any time here in PTown. We LOVE to have company, and I do mean that very sincerely. I can offer 2- Ply, a salmon dinner, and a warm oak fire with plenty of microbrew, Willamette Valley wine and a latte!

Those look like they would keep the ole tootsies quite warm on a cold winter night!!!

An electric blanket works well too. But those are quite as ethnic and fun.

If I had been there with you, I suspect the NWS would have had to issue a flood warning!!!

Call out the lifeguards!!! Pat, We may need you here soon!

I would have loved to be at that gathering, even if relegated to sitting quietly in the corner and just drinking in the atmosphere. I can almost feel the warmth through your description.....

or just drinking.

Okay, I know some of you probably scoffed at the possibility of me just sitting quietly in that corner I mentioned, but with a plate of this in front of me, I would have been too busy to talk anyway.....
Not even corn????

or slobbering on the floor.

No, not even corn- this stuff tasted WAY different, and WAY better!

Okay, I thought maybe you were preparing yourself for a trip to 50's Prime Time and you gave them a swirlie for putting their elbows on the table.....

I totally was going to see who noticed this! YES, go back through the pix, ALL of us were sitting exactly the same- ALL of us with our elbows all over the table!

Ah, yes, giving swirlies is an art.

Yes, I would imagine the wounds were still too fresh in his mind.....

I'm just glad he didn't have any em-berry-assing relapses at Magdalene's mom's place.


It looks like everyone had a crapulous time!!! [/QUOTE]

No, I saved that for back at the hotel.

What a fun, relaxing and enjoyable evening! We would all do well to have more evenings like this, and less gathered around the TV set!!!

AMEN!!!!

Just what are you trying to say? You think you can keep me around with low-brow quips about bodily functions and camel poo?

Well, I can't be the only uncultured swine, can I?

Nope, you're in company. Oink.

I'm only here for the Albrecht Durer discussion.

(Did I spell his name right?)

"I'm only here for the (Albrecht Durer) food" = refernce to Ever After

Oh wait, wrong thread.

 

[All7OfUs]

We interrupt this trip report for something I thought was an absolutle a must read for anyone who is actually more than casually interested in what my former life was like in Kazakhstan. If you truly want an in depth peek into one of the holidays they just finished celebrating take a look. But BEWARE!! It is VERY, VERY graphic. Our family has seen a sheep sacrifice, and eaten the delicious national dish called beshbarmak a million times. I think this will certainly enlarge your worldview a bit...


http://www.mydailyphotofix.com/2010/11/korban-ait-or-its-just-a-really-bad-day-to-be-a-sheep/?ref=nf

 

[All7OfUs]

I am all caught up! I finished reading this morning, and have since spent more time than I like to admit trying to guess the correct letter P. A useless attempt, as I came up with nothing that is not wrong.

Germany looks very beautiful. It is on my list of places to go someday, so it is really fun to see all your pictures of it.

Looks like you all had a great dinner! Looking forward to reading more...

You are not alone in spending inordinate amounts of time trying to find the Letter- P proved to be a tough one.

It was so pretty. But the trip is just about over. I have one, maybe 2 more installments to go until we hit the good old US of A.

Yes, but when it comes to rabbit renderings I confess that I prefer the works of the Brothers Warner.

(As in "what's up doc?")

I thought rabbit renderings were those little things that look like raisins.

 

[Millie12591]

Picked myself up some Haagen Dasz Cherry Vanilla ice cream- my spoon is poised. Back later with more.

Mmmmmm.

 

[All7OfUs]

Mmmmmm.

I love that slathering, slobbering smilie- but not nearly as much as my cherry vanilla HD was! YUM!

 

[that's nice]

No, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Beer is gross.

Speak for yourself!

I know. Call me a sissy.

Hummm...

Glad you wordsmithed that one Tim. Eating baskets can be very bad for one's constitution- or so I hear. Well, actually, I've never had anyone tell me they've eaten a bread basket- but I imagine it'd be really bad.

LOL I thought about just rewriting that statement but I thought it would be better to just leave it as is!

I think you can bear-ry it!

Errrrrr

Why thank you sir!!

Welcome!

 

[Millie12591]

How are the kiddos doing? Teeth pulling stinks, big time.

Is it braces time?
Tyler is getting his wisdoms out this Jan. before he goes back to school.
I'm hoping he'll have it done right after the New Year, that way I can make sure he's pretty much well healed before going back to school. I thought I was getting better about him being gone but lost it emotionally with him on the phone the other day when he called me to say he was heading back to school.
Mackie and I were out getting hair cuts and such and had to leave him at the house, he called on his way back to school to say goodbye and said to tell Mackie that he missed her and loved her, the water works really came on all of a sudden. I really wasn't expecting it. I'm such a sap.

 

[4Pluto]

We interrupt this trip report for something I thought was an absolutle a must read for anyone who is actually more than casually interested in what my former life was like in Kazakhstan. If you truly want an in depth peek into one of the holidays they just finished celebrating take a look. But BEWARE!! It is VERY, VERY graphic. Our family has seen a sheep sacrifice, and eaten the delicious national dish called beshbarmak a million times. I think this will certainly enlarge your worldview a bit...

Ok. I had to stop lurking to ask about your photos. Was the celebration of sacrifices related to the story of Abraham and Isaac? In the 80s, I traveled to Senegal and landed in Dakar during Tabaski, which was their day of sacrificing lambs in memory of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac. The streets were red with blood and pelts hung from neary every home. But the image that stuck in mind the most, was that the skies were black with vultures circling. Within days, it all disappeared and was back to city life as usual. I loved seeing your photos (and now I'm scratching that travel itch). Thanks.

 

[All7OfUs]

Speak for yourself!

Hummm...


LOL I thought about just rewriting that statement but I thought it would be better to just leave it as is!


Errrrrr


Welcome!

Well, ok, I speak for myself- beer sux.

And yeah, that was a really bad one. I have to slip those in once in a while. If only for my own amusement.

How are the kiddos doing? Teeth pulling stinks, big time.

Is it braces time?
Tyler is getting his wisdoms out this Jan. before he goes back to school.
I'm hoping he'll have it done right after the New Year, that way I can make sure he's pretty much well healed before going back to school. I thought I was getting better about him being gone but lost it emotionally with him on the phone the other day when he called me to say he was heading back to school.
Mackie and I were out getting hair cuts and such and had to leave him at the house, he called on his way back to school to say goodbye and said to tell Mackie that he missed her and loved her, the water works really came on all of a sudden. I really wasn't expecting it. I'm such a sap.

No, classic "missionary teeth". When you go 3 years in between visits, well you end up with a bunch of rot. Anyway, Zach is missing 2 teeth, Anara, 1. Guess the tooth fairy will be a little poorer tonight.

I remember getting my wisdom teeth out. It was a textbook case of horror! I barfed on the way home in the car and popped all my stitches. Had to go back and get restitched, then spent the next 3 days on drugs in bed. I ate too soon, and I think that hurt worse than having a child.!!

 

[All7OfUs]

Ok. I had to stop lurking to ask about your photos. Was the celebration of sacrifices related to the story of Abraham and Isaac? In the 80s, I traveled to Senegal and landed in Dakar during Tabaski, which was their day of sacrificing lambs in memory of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice Isaac. The streets were red with blood and pelts hung from neary every home. But the image that stuck in mind the most, was that the skies were black with vultures circling. Within days, it all disappeared and was back to city life as usual. I loved seeing your photos (and now I'm scratching that travel itch). Thanks.

I"m tickled that you posted here!! First of all, I have to give credit to "Catherine" who is an amazing photographer living in Kaz. She has an amazing site that is fun to poke around on if you're interested in seeing some spectacular photography.

Yes, this holiday is used often as we share the Good News. I can't remember if it is honor of that sacrifice of Abrahams son (they believe it was Ishmael sacrificed, not Isaac.), but it does serve the purpose of atoning for sin. It has incredible "redemptive analogies" and is a perfect gateway to help them see what was already done on their behalf by way of a Perfect Sacrifice. Anyway, all that aside, it is something that is so completely NOT a part of our culture that I thought it would be very interesting for those of you who are interested in travel to other cultures.

WE have some dear friends in Dakar, and that is some place I would love to get to someday. I long to hear the drumming and taste the fish I hear is amazing!

 

[Millie12591]

Enough bantering woman! What's with the letter P?!?