Happy Things

I know today is Memorial Day and it should be a somber day.  I don't like to be preachy about it...it is different for different people.  I figured I'd show some happy things instead.  We had a team event on Wednesday and we went bowling and had a potluck.  I always bake for potlucks.  :)  I made red velvet cupcakes using this recipe: http://divascancook.com/2009/11/the-best-red-velvet-cake-recipe-easy-homemade-moist-with-southern-flair.html  They turned out pretty good.  I made another Apple Cake with Butterscotch Cream Cheese Frosting and remembered to take a picture this time.  I did forget to take a picture of the corn bread. :)  I shared some of the cupcakes with the van driver and aide for wee one and she gave me these flowers in return.....columbines...I love them.  We used to grow them when I was a child.  I splurged this weekend at the Real (German grocery store plus more).  I got some peonies for 4,99.....I know I bit steep for just three flowers but so worth it.  You can see part of some flowers I got last week....2 bundles of flowers for 2,99 each.  The best thing ever was this Playmobil set.....I've been wanting this one since we got here...it screams Germany.  There is one more Playmobil set I want...it is like a roadside stand with a chicken coop...awesome.  I love Playmobil sets with food.  This one was in sale...just to make it even better.  However you are spending the day I hope you have a good one and don't forget to drop by the auction site tonight and bid on something, please.  :)

Hope for OK auction items

Here is my contribution to the Hope for OK auction.  I didn't have time to make anything, but Heather suggested German goodies.  I went a little nuts and had enough items for 3 boxes.  If you are interested the auction starts tomorrow.  Heather has a preview of some of the auction items on the site right now....go take a peek and hopefully, you'll open your wallets this week.  :)

https://www.facebook.com/hopeforok

Hope For Oklahoma

Heather Ales (fellow Silver Bella artsy craftsy friend) has started an online auction to benefit the people of Oklahoma.   Here is the link to the Facebook Page.  If you can donate an item or two for auction, please do.  If you can't, please go to the auction and bid on something.  Thanks.

https://www.facebook.com/hopeforok

Just Because It Makes Me Laugh

This is a picture from San Diego back in February.  We were geting popcorn and a Sprite (per Wee One's orders) and these seagulls stole a bag of chips and proceeded to rip it open and eat it.  It was awesome.  I'm still recovering from our weekend of errands...the boys had to get haircuts.  When you are a one car family and you live off-post all your errands take place over the weekend.  I baked a pie last week and forgot to take a picture until we ate half of it.  :)  The week before that I made an Apple Cake with Butterscotch Cream Cheese Frosting and didn't remember to take a photo at all....grrr.  It was really good.  I got it out of a book I checked out from the Graf Library.."More From Magnolia" by Allysa Torey.  The frosting alone is worth finding that book for the recipe...yes, that good.  I made Strawberry Cream Cheese Muffins last night and had they come out of the muffinpans good...I would've taken a photo.  Most of them got stuck and I had to rip them fom the pans.  I haven't found my cupcake liners yet.  :)  Oh well.....I'm going to try to craft now....mostly cut things out.  It is a start....I'm trying...really, I am.  :)

The joys of IEPs

We had to go to yet another IEP yesterday.  :)  I usually hate these things, but it turns out they wanted to modify his IEP..in a really good way.  They applied for an aide for him, so that he can go hang with the neurotypicals more.  He still needs someone to keep him on task, help with transitions and the like...but this is awesome news.  I always knew he was smart..his looks get in the way.  :) 

A Walk in Weiden, Part 2

I went to Dehner's (garden center) and Norma's (small grocery store) after my walk around town.  That croissant (schoko-nuss) tasted way better than it looks.  It was like a carnival game getting it out of the dispenser...I lost.  There was a beautiful one in the back, but it just would not come out.  The Bacon Peps we discovered the first time we went to Norma's back in February....I love bacon anything.  The Dehner's has a small craft/home decoration section.  That is where I found the crepe paper.....I haven't played with crepe paper in forever.....flowers...that is what they are destined to be...if I can remember how to make them.  :)  The tea pots and buttons are fabric...too cute to pass up.

A Walk in Weiden, Part 1

I decided to get out of the house today.  I'm not comfortable taking pictures of places yet...not sure if it would be rude.  So I'm sticking to nature shots.  I'm thinking of re-naming my blog "Auto Focus" for the fact that is the setting my camera is on and will probably stay on.  Maybe I'll figure out how to do it manually.....after I unearth my manual.

Mushrooms

These photos are brought to you by the letter "T"...as in Teri.  Thanks for telling me how to get photos back on my blog.  :)  It wouldn't be Germany and I wouldn't be me if I didn't post a few mushroom photos.  These were taken in my backyard last week.  Yes, that is grass....green grass.  Not rocks, not "dormant" grass...real green grass.  Billy is happier than a pig in shit.  :)  We are all happy.  We love Germany.  It is beautiful.  Weiden is a great town to live in...if you feel like being an expat...come here.