Let's Go Bucks!

While we were home we wanted to soak in as much of America as we could. And one of our favorite things about America is The Ohio State University and Buckeye football. We were thrilled to have the chance to go to 3 home games while we were in Ohio! {Thanks everyone for those free tickets!} And an even bigger treat was that we got hooked up on military appreciation day and we got to meet Coach Urban Meyer, Coach Luke Fickell, a few OSU players, and we got to watch warm-ups on the field! It was so wonderful and we were also able to take two guests with us for the experience. We opted to my brother, and hubby's sister. It was such a nice brother/sister day. We love our Buckeyes and this was an experience we won't soon forget!
Let's Go Bucks!

America...

Living in Germany is wonderful and we love it, but we do really get home sick. We were lucky enough to take a 6 week vacation back to the states to visit our friends and family! We even got to bring the pups! Speaking English, family, meeting our niece, our friends, Chipotle, Buckeye football... so many things to love about Ohio/Kentucky. The 6 weeks some how flew by and before we knew it we were back in Stuttgart with so many things we wished we could've done while back in states. Saving those for next time, I guess. Thank you to our families for being so hospitable, our friends for all the quality time, and America for being America...We love you all!

Abandoned...

I have beyond neglected this sweet, little blog for so long! I feel terrible, but we've been having a ball. Traveling Europe, celebrating birthdays and now we're happily enjoying 6 weeks in the states! I always forget how much I miss it here! Enjoying every moment, but I promise I'll be blogging on a more regular schedule when we get back to Europe!

Firefly Jello Shots...

YEP! If you haven't tried Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka head out and grab a bottle ASAP! It's easily one of my favorites! Mixed with lemonade, iced tea, or just on the rocks, so delicious. At our barbeque gathering a few weekends ago I decided to try to make Firefly jello shots in lemon wedges. What a hit! We ended up standing around the table and slurping them down! They were rather easy to make, too.. check it out...
 Ingredients:
10 Lemons, halved and hollowed (use the insides for lemonade,etc..)
1 box of Lemon Jello
Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka

Yields: 40

Cut the lemons in 1/2 and hollow out the insides...

Fill with Jello mixture (make jello according to the box, but use Firefly instead of water)
Once they have chilled cut in 1/2 again and make wedges

Serve, and ENJOY!

I can't imagine another party without these babies! Just a shame that I have to import Firefly from the states!

Fresh Mountain Air...

Is there anything better? To me, no! I love the smell of the Alps, the cool breeze, the fresh air, and of course the beautiful scenery. We spent the long weekend in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. Lauterbrunnen, in German, means loud springs, which is a perfect name, as this little valley town is known for it's 70 waterfalls! It was an amazing experience to be able to take our dogs with us, I don't think they realize how spoiled they are! We enjoyed the comforts of our Alpine chalet, hiking up the trails, delicious food, dipping our toes in an Alpine stream, and a gondola ride to the top of a 10,000 ft. mountain!
Lauterbrunnen is easily the most beautiful place we've ever seen! We had such a great time as a family and I was very sad to see this vacation end...

Memorial Day Weekend

I've decided to divide this is into two posts, as I have a lot to say! Our weekend started out okay, was amazing, and then ended not so great. First I'd like to tell you how much we adored Ljubljana, Slovenia! We originally booked tickets via German Wings Blind Booking...ie.. you don't know which city you will get out of the choices until after you paid. We were none to thrilled to get Venice, but we decided to make the most out of it. James had the idea to rent a car and drive to Ljubljana and I'm so glad he did. What a lovely city and extremely welcoming and friendly people. We got to our hotel, the Hotel Lev, only to find out they oversold the hotel and had moved us to a different hotel. While I thought this was a terrible thing, it turned out to be a great thing! The Grand Hotel Union was just as nice, if not nicer, and it was in a primo location, a stone's throw from the center. We strolled along the beautiful city, had an amazing dinner, of course drinks, and settled in for a night relaxing in the hotel. The following day was spent wandering the gorgeous city, eating amazing food, stumbling across local street markets and taking a relaxing boat cruise.
A city that I had never even heard of turned out to be one of the greatest cities I've ever been to. The Slovenians were so kind and welcoming, the food was amazing and the city was picturesque. If your in the area I would totally suggest stopping by!

Love, Love, Love

Yesterday my husband and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. I remember our special day like it happened last week. I've been told that in this day and age even a 3 year marriage is an accomplishment. Marriage is a challenge, but we look forward to facing the challenges marriage brings and learning from our mistakes. We are forever growing, changing and learning about one another. To me, this is what makes marriage so fun! We celebrated our anniversary at the amazingly delicious Hirsch Weinstube. A yummy four course meal and wine! Happy 3 years, babe! I love you!

Our song

Lovely Weekend

We are back...and for a while this time! We had a great long weekend away, but it's nice to be back home with our furry babes! We'll be posting more pictures soon, but now we're going to rest and enjoy some down time. Hope everyone had an awesome weekend!

Away We Go....

Just picked up husband last night from the airport and we're off again! We're leaving in a few hours for Venice, Italy and Ljubljana, Slovenia! I still can't help but think how fortunate we are for all these travel opportunities. I'm looking forward to spending the holiday weekend with my hubby. We hope all of you have a nice long weekend and don't forget the reason for Memorial Day, to remember those who gave up their lives for us, our country and our freedoms!

Now we're really a farm...

A couple weeks ago I planted our vegetables...something I've never done before. But what better place to get fresh, organic produce then your own back yard! Our yard is pretty small, and the dogs need the space to play {and I also know they'd run right through my garden}, so I planted everything in pots. This year we are trying lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, red peppers and tomatoes. The lettuce, red peppers and tomatoes were plants, the other two I'm growing from seeds. This could either be a great experiment or a big failure! But I figured it was worth a try! Growing vegetables in pots is a great way to grow if you have limited space, or if you don't have any ground space. My stargazer lillies are really doing well and it's time for them to be relocated. I love these flowers, they are so fragrant and beautiful!

Busy Bees

This week has been crazy! As you know, I just got home from the UK on Monday afternoon. My hubby doesn't get back until late tonight....I can't wait! But we're actually turning right around Friday afternoon and heading out for our Memorial Day trip to Venice and Slovenia! I can't help but think how lucky and fortunate we are. Our time in Germany is nearly 1/2 way over and we're trying to make the most of every second! This truly is a rare opportunity that we were lucky to have. So this week I've been catching up on laundry and housework, so we're ready for our next trip. And the pups and I have been making the most of the amazing weather and going to the park daily!

AND WE'RE BACK!!

...Ok, let me rephrase that... I'm back. My hubs is still in jolly Ol' until Thursday evening. But boy did we ever have a great, all be it quick, weekend in London and Cambridge. It was so lovely to catch up with old friends, and meet new ones! We walked miles and miles around the streets of London, took in the sights {and the beer and spirits} and, of course, had to stop at Chipotle. Listen, trust me, you miss it when you're thousands of miles away from one! I truly enjoyed the one on one time I got to share with my husband and the side splitting laughs we shared with friends. London continues to be one of my favorite towns! It never gets old, no matter how many times we go. And this time we found a new neighborhood to eat, drink and be merry! Cheers! {Naturally I can't look at Big Ben or Parliament without thinking of this clip!}

 

Away I Go....

Heading to Cambridge/London in a few hours! So excited! My hubby has been there since Sunday for work and I'm just heading there for a long weekend! Looking forward to seeing my hubby and our wonderful friend,...and of course being in London again! We hope every has a fun, eventful weekend!

Paleo Fried Chicken

Yep, you read that right! Everyone knows that eating healthy isn't the easiest thing. We live in a world with way too many temptations. It's hard not to fall into these food traps, and we try our best not too. So what if you could eat something that felt like a cheat food, but wasn't? Helllllloooooo, Paleo Fried Chicken! This recipe is so very easy, and also tastes amazing. Fried chicken has always been one of my comfort foods, and this healthier version hit the spot! Take a look at this easy recipe, and for more information about Paleo eating check out THIS site!

Ingredients:
1 cup coconut oil
2 large organic eggs
1 cup almond flour or almond meal
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. chipotle powder (optional)
2 pounds organic, free-range chicken- whatever pieces you like.. thighs, legs, etc.

 Directions:

1. Heat oil in large frying pan to 350F and preheat oven to 400F
2. Whisk eggs in medium sized bowl
3. Combine all dry ingredients in large bowl and mix well.
4. Dip chicken in whisked eggs.
5. Coat/cover chicken in flour mixture and place in hot oil.  Allow both sides to brown (about 2 minutes each side).
6. Place cooling rack on sheet pan and assemble chicken on the rack so there is space between all pieces.
7. Put chicken in oven for 10-15 minutes.  Remove and serve.

Tips:
The oil can pop, so be careful of bare skin and close-by children and pets. I found it easier to set-up a simple assemble line with the chicken. Egg wash, then flour, then oil. 

Enjoy this yummy, Paleo dish! {Sorry I didn't take more photos, you need two hands for making this!}

Frühlings Fest

Let me start by saying that the Germans love to fest, and know how to fest! It seems that every weekend there is a fest somewhere that one can attend. One of the larger ones here in Stuttgart is Frühlings Fest {Spring Fest}. The fest reminds me of going to a {animal-free} fair. There are rides, games, tons of food and, of course, the beer tents! We spent the afternoon with James' co-workers, and what a blast we had. We need more fests in the states! The day consisted of lots of laughs, trying to sing German drinking songs, good eats and a lot of great memories! Going to a German fest should be on everyone's bucket list!