Felines like to dine in style too!

This one is for the furry family members!





Happy Tablescape Thursday Everyone! 

I trust you all had a wonderful week? As always mine was full of ups and downs, but I made it through on top-so I guess I am okay! This week´s entry is one I have wanted to do for a while. I know it is absolutely crazy to do so, but I must admit I had fun with this one!!

The rug and the place mat of course come from the states, as do the votive holders. The red and blue plates are from my espresso set.  The red and blue saucers are actually used to hold turkish tea glasses, but work just fine as their food bowls!

Our cats -  Will and Grace have been apart of our family now for almost 2 years. We can not imagine life without them anymore. Grace is our worry one-she had a car accident in 2009 resulting in a broken leg and collapsed lung and has recently been diagnosed with chronic gastritis! The meds and the change of diet are now finally working! I am learning to bake/cook cat treats from scratch! Will is healthy as can be, and is enjoying all the homemade treats he also gets to enjoy. As you probably can tell, we named them after the TV-Sticom! I am still hoping one day to have a jack and karen, but my husband says 2 are enough!!!

The feast is served! Homemade cookie cat cakes(tuna) and cooked chicken hearts(suggestion from our vet)

It has been one of those days and I am ready to put this one to rest. Here´s hoping tomorrow will a better one. I wish you all a happy easter! Be sure to stop by next week to enjoy my easter tables! 

Here come Peter Cottontail!

Yesterday I started transforming my house into a easter haven! Since I collect them-there are bunnies everywhere! Happy Pink Saturday Everyone!

Blogs and Fonts

Today I have been trying to redo my blog-make it more friendly to look at. I would like to know if anyone can tell me how to change the font from the ones offered? If anyone has some tips for me- I would more than appreciate it!

A new recipe I tried this week

"Foodie Friday!!! It´s Friday again-our son has been home now a week from his ski trip with his class-tommorow he is off again-this time with the orchestra- 4 days at a youth resort-time for getting to know each other and lots of practice. He will be one of the big kids, as this is the group with the young ones! After Easter he will then be 4 days on the road with his group the Jugendblasorchestra of Kleinmachnow. It seems this 14 year old is more busy than his mom!!!!

This past Monday I tried a recipe I had found in Womans Day. I do not have pictures, but I am sure if you go on www.womansday.com you will find the picture they had posted in the magazine.

PORK LO MEIN cost per serving $1.41(in the US-here in germany i do not know!)
Serves 4
The clue on this recipe is that it calls for "ramen noodles"-I lived off of those in college-it was a quick and cheap meal. Until now, I have avoided them but rediscovered ramen noodles when I tried this recipe. So here is my entry for Foodie Friday-trust me you have to try this.

"Ingredients: 2 pkgs(3oz each) Oriental-flavor ramen noodle soup
2 tsp oil
1 large onion, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 bag(1Lb) frozen stir-fry vegetables, thawed
12 oz pork cutlets or boneless thin-cut pork chops, cut in strips
1 Tbsp cornstarch

"Directions: 1. Bring 6 cups water to a boil on stovetop or in microwave. Add ramen noodles(save the seasoning pakets) Let stand 5 minutes or until tender;drain.
2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tsp of the oil in a skillet. Add onion and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes or untio tender. Add garlic; cook 1 min.
3. Add veggies;stir fry 3 minutes-remove to a bowl.
4. Heat remaining oil in same skillet. Add pork. Stir fry 2 minutes. Remove to bowl with veggies.
5. Stir 1 cup water, the seasonings, and cornstarch in skillet till blended. Bring to simmer and cook 1 minute.
6. Add noodles; toss to coat. Add veggies and pork; toss to mix. Cook over low heat, tossing until warmed through.



Thanks goes to Womans Day for printing this recipe-we had no leftovers the night I served this!

Will and Grace

The weather was so wonderful today-that our two furry friends spent the day outside-chasing butterflies and birds and of course relaxing!

Grace decides to once again climb a tree. I just know we are going to be calling the fire department one day!!

A nice cold beer

Wow-is all I can say about the weather today. The sky is blue-not a cloud in sight and it is sooo warm. So, I quickly swept the patio, got out the table and a chair and threw together and impromptu lunch table! Of course the most important item-the ice cold beer! The patio is not quite ready, but good enough to enjoy on this first day of great weather. Our plan is to build a pergola this spring-I can not wait to show you all those pictures. We have been dreaming of this for a few years and now if will finally happen-see you all on a Met Monday for those pics! 

Our Grace!

Grace on the look out! The flower box that she is sitting in is connected to our tree house! She has a perfect view up there-can scout out just the right bird!

pretty in pink

Good Morning!

do you all remember the picture I posted of my girls all dressed in pink? Well this weeks entry comes from that party. Michele received a gift in this pretty pink box and when she moved she passed it on to me!

A St. Patty Day Tablescape

Although St. Patrick´s Day was yesterday I would still like to share with you our greenish Table. As I wrote earlier, I was on the hunt for a black pot of gold. Being here in germany-no easy task. BUT, I tried went to all sorts of stores hoping to find something that would work-where did I find: right here at home!  My table has many shades of green, but I believe it works. Hope everyone had a fun day yesterday! See you all next Thursday, when Susan host Tablescape Thursday!

After setting the table I still felt something was missing, so I whipped up a batch of my favorite sugar cookies and got out the st. patty cutters!

 My pot of gold? Simply a black flower pot I found while cleaning a closet. The gold coins are chocolate candy, a bag full I just happened to still have in the freezer!!!

St.Patty Day

Hello Everyone!

how is St. Patrick's Day for you? Here in Germany it is not celebrated, but still my house is full of green! I have my table for Thursday almost done-I am so excited to post the pictures tomorrow. I did not find a pot of gold anywhere in the stores, but here at home! I was cleaning out a closet in my store room and found a black flower pot-served my purpose. Well, you will have to wait till tomorrow to see what I created.

I officially opened the garden season today, by cleaning out the first flower beds-wow what a job-but one I enjoy. It is such a good feeling to see all the tulips coming up. The forecast is calling for rain this coming weekend-I hope they are wrong! But, if we do get all the rain, then it will be a sign from God for me to spend some time with my son, who will be returning from his 2 week class/ski trip! We are looking forward to his return and listening to all his stories. I am not looking forward to the laundry!!!

Okay, see you all tomorrow at Tablescape Thursday hosted by Between Naps on the Porch.

Good Morning!

Good Morning Everyone!

Yet another gray day here in Berlin-I sure hope spring is right around the corner!!!! Today is a special day-we are going to meet a dear friend for dinner-someone we have not seen for several years. Both Klaus and I are looking forward to seeing Holger again. He moved back to germany last year after spending 4 years in New Mexico. 

But before that........there is the usual housework to do, so I had better get busy.!!!!

St. Patricks Day

Hello Everyone! 

here it is Met Monday--that weekend sure went fast! I do not have before pictures, but would like to share with you pictures of our home for st. patty day! A Metamorphosis of sorts! Valentines Day got taken down and put away weeks ago, windows have been washed, curtains cleaned-time to decorate for St. Patty Day! 

The green vases have been collected over the years from various places here in Berlin. It all started with large green ones, after buying those for 5 euros each I kept my eyes open for more. Some of the vases have silk flowers in them, a few are still empty-I am planning on buying fresh flowers for those. Other decorations were kindly brought to germany by a friend visiting from South Carolina.(Looking forward to what goodies she brings on her next visit!) The candels/napkins as well as some vases came from Ikea!

Time now to start planning my tablescape for Thursday-desperately looking for a black cauldron(for a pot of gold) maybe I will get lucky today when I am in town!

learned something new

Today-I took a moment and wen t on my favorite blog helper site: The cutest Blog on the Block. This site is great, every time i go there I find something new to add or change on my blog!

The Girls!

On this Pink saturday, I present to you the girls!!!!! We were and are a group of american women living in Berlin. This picture was taken in 2007 to celebrate Michele´s new start in life. I had thought it fun for everyone to dress in pink and sure enough the girls came all dressed in fashion. We had a blast. Now it is 2010. A few girls have moved back to the states and we left behind miss them dearly. Thankfully  there is Facebook, Skype, and of course the trusty phone!

Spring is in the air and that means Ball Season!!!

this Friday I would like to share with you a chocolate cake recipe that I use quite often. I got this recipe from the mom of a friend. It has become one my most requested. 

Grandmother´s Chocolate Cake

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

3/4 cup cocoa

1 cup vegetable oil

1 cup milk

1 cup hot coffee

2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Sift dry ingredients. Add coffee, milk, oil, eggs and vanilla. Batter will be very thin. Makes a large 9x13 or 2-9" round cakes. Bake 350° for 1 hour.

The cake in this picture was made for my son´s coach´s Birthday! Cake-Grandmother´s Chocolate Cake. The shirt itself is homemade fondant.

New Years Day TableScape

A few years ago we opted to celebrate New Years Day instead of New Years Eve. We spent the evening doing all the prep work-which was a great way to pass the time till midnight! The idea for the tablescape was born when I found the gift bags on sale at Sellgros(the german version of Costco or Sams) and the black candles at the dollar store!!! The rest of the table decorations came from my "little shoppe of horrors" as I loving call my store room!!! The pictures do not do the table justice-it really was pretty-the guest loved it and that was the main thing!

Dishes: Rosenthal (our weddin gift some 20 years ago)

Silverware: Crate and Barrel 

Silver Trees: Karstadt ( german department store-where I also found them on sale!)

Crystal Candelsticks: Waterford Crystal-my pride and joy-a gift from our irish friends

Happy Hump Day!

It is 10 am here in Kleinmachnow and I am happy to say the housework is done....well there is a tad bit of ironing to do but that is all. : ) Today I am going to finally get back to doing some baking. We are out of bread, so I am going to try my hand at that today. Should not be too hard as it is a pre-made mix-JUST ADD WATER!. Then there is the matter of dinner-last night we just had sandwiches so I think I´d better cook a real meal today! What is on your menue? We are going to have old fashioned meatloaf. It is a recipe I found on the food network and it has passed my taste testers so I know it will be a success again tonight! Desert will be an easy one-ice cream!

Tablescape Thursday is nearing... since I have been busy washing windows this week and my st.patty day table is not quite ready, I will be posting a picture of a past table I did.  If all goese well my meatloaf adventure will be posted for foodie friday.  I have a few ideas for pink sat.-wish me luck that I find the items I am thinking about!

If it is Tuesday-this must be ironing day!

Good Morning Everyone. My husband just left for work-and I am now getting ready for another action packed day of washing windows, doing laundry etc etc!!! Sounds exciting doesn´t it!!!!?!! I got a lot done yesterday and am proud of it. The living room and kitchen look really good-have most of my st.patty decorations up-giving the house a festive touch. I am getting anxious to get outside but need to get the inside done first!

I hope everyone is having a great day!

Oh and blog it is very red!!! Please be patient I am working on making the perfect blog page!

Here Will and Grace enjoying a relaxing moment on the aquarium watching me work!!!!

A busy Sunday!

Good Afternoon Everyone!

some how the housework never ends and so I find myself once again busy in the house on this cold, but beautiful day. The kitchen is clean, the beds made and most importantly-the aquarium is clean. What a job-but with the help of the husband we were done quickly. Now the fish are happy and resting. 

Where did this week go? The days seem to go by in warp speed!!! As ever week, this one had its ups and downs. The downer-was getting a tooth pulled. The upper-was spending the day in the city with some visiting friends. We explored the Pergamun Museum-my favorite of all the museums here in Berlin. Will post pictures later.

My son left on the 8th grade ski trip yesterday at 6am! We had to be at school at 5:30am-wow and that on a Saturday. Excitement was in the air-these kids were ready to go. The 8th grade ski trip is a tradition at the John F. Kennedy School in Berlin. They have been dreaming of this trip since first grade!!!! I had asked our child to call on occasion-his reply-that is for babies!!! Needless to say he called 5 times yesterday! As I write it is shortly after one pm-I wonder what they are doing right now. Too bad there is no web cam at the resort! We look forward to the next phone call.

The snow is as good as gone here in Kleinmachnow. I have enjoyed this cold, snow filled winter but am now more than ready for spring. The garden looks so pitiful in winter-I am anxious to get started outside. Our cats-Will and Grace are already exploring the great outdoors. They have been cooped up inside for the most part this winter, missing their friends!

I hope everyone is having a great Sunday-weather doing housework or relaxing! See you all on Thursday-for Tablescape Thursday hosted by Inbetween Naps on the Porch, Friday- Foodie Friday and of course for Pink Saturday!

something pink for the feet!

Bought the Hot Soxx for my mom-she is always saying she has cold feet! I am thinking I should have bought a pair for myself too!!! Hope everyone is having a wonderful pink saturday!

Happy Friday Everyone!

I am recovering from a dentist appointment-at 42 I had to have a tooth pulled. : (  

Hard to believe! My dentist is more than awesome and took wonderful care of me, but still I hope and pray that i never ever have to have a tooth pulled again. I think I would rather give birth to triplets!

In other news: my 14 year old son is leaving tommorow for a 2 week ski trip with his entire 8th grade.(About 150 kids!!!!) Now that the time is near-I am getting nervous. At the beginning of the school year I was excited-2 weeks a child free home--but now? I want him to stay home!!!! He is looking forward to it and I know this trip will do him lots of good. I look forward to the pictures he will be taking!!!

See you all tommorow at Pink Saturday!

Tea for Two on Tablescape Thursday!

This tea set is very special to me. It is a gift  from my mother who in turn received it from her mother. It was first enjoyed by my grandmother in Cloppenburg Germany in the 1940´s. When my parents and older sister immigrated to the United States in 1957 my mother carefully packed in one of the  crates. Back then you traveled by boat from Bremerhaven to New York. ---Years later in 1989 I made my way back over the ocean to marry my husband and live myself in the hometown of my parents-Cloppenburg. From Cloppenburg my family moved to Berlin in 2001 and to the suburbs of Berlin in 2003. With every move, I carefully packed the tea set my mother had passed on to me. As I myself have a son, I guess I will pass it on to my daughter in law. (But lets hope that is not for quite some time as my son is only 14!!!!! Happy Tablescape Thursday Everyone.