Life is a Bowl of "PITTED" Cherries

Yes, life is certainly a a bowl of cherries.  And, yes, it is better without the pits...

I have really nice neighbors...probably largely due to the fact that neither of us can understand a word the other is saying.  Our conversations consist of some grunting, lots of expressive facial contortions, some rudimentary German and English words, and hand gestures...LOTS of hand gestures.  Not the hand gestures you would normally associate with neighbors...the ones we are using are nice.  However, I HAVE had a few neighbors in the past that the "other" hand gesturing was sometimes necessary.  But, basically, in all the places I have lived, I must say I have been lucky.  I still keep in touch with many of my past neighbors and even consider them close friends (even after all the hand gesturing...).

Back to my current neighbors....  Josef and Lidia are Croatian and in their (I am guessing) late 60's.  They are retired and work very hard around the house -- usually in the back garden.  My daughter has essentially adopted them and has taken to visiting them in their backyard daily and sometimes for long periods of time which prompts me to retrieve her occasionally...which requires a conversation, which requires lots of gesturing...you see where I am going with this.

So...Yesterday, I peered through the garden into their backyard looking for my daughter (we are in a townhouse and there is really no dividing line between the yards just foliage...you will just have to visit to get the full effect of what I am saying...)  I didn't see her, but Josef was sitting with his back to me at his garden table busy as a bee.  When I called out "Hallo Josef!" he stood, turned, and held up two hands...one holding a knife and both dripping with something red, his shirt was stained red...A REAL MESS....Initial thought...next door neighbor is an ax murderer.....  Upon closer inspection I could see that he was not, in fact, chopping up Lidia (I watch too many Stephen King movies) he was pitting cherries!  LOTS of cherries straight off of his tree!  The subsequent conversation was interesting, I THINK he offered me some cherries.  I accepted gladly (hoping that was actually what he said, and not "If you tell anyone about this bloody mess then I will Kill you too...") and went back into my house.  About an hour later Josef appeared at my back door holding a BUCKET of cherries!  Ripe, delicious, juicy, FREE cherries!  Heaven!

Or not.  You know that cherry pitter thing I got 5+ years ago at a pampered chef party - the door prize for answering some obscure question like..."where was quiche originated?"....?  Ya, the one I decided to leave in storage on this move because I had not used it in 5+ years and "what was the likelihood I was EVER gonna need that thing anyway?"...ya that one.  Well...I needed it.

After leaving the cherries on the counter - in the bucket - for 4 or 5 hours unattended, the fruit flies began to swarm and many were already rotting!  Time is of the essence if you want to use fresh cherries!  Who knew!?!?

I, luckily, had some leftover latex gloves (don't ask me from what...) so I slipped on a pair and began to pit cherries.  Two hours and twelve cups later I have more cherries than I can possibly use before they rot!  Hmmm...

With a little internet research I quickly made some decisions:  I made Smokey Roasted Cherry Jam (find it on eatingwell.com).  I intend to use it tonight over a grilled pork loin...

I also made Practically-Perfect-in-Every-Way Cream Scones (adding in fresh cherries of course) from my girlfriend, Jill O'Connor's, cookbook "Sticky, Chewey, Messy, Gooey Treats for Kids" (Find it on Amazon.com) I had made her Hunka Chunka Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies earlier in the day too...  The Scones and the cookies were a HUGE hit!  I plan on making every darn' recipe in the book!

It is day two, I still have at least 6 cups of cherries.  What today?  Sorbet?  Hmmm...yes, the possibilities are endless.  I don't plan on visiting the neighbors today...too much work.

I better get off this computer and get to it soon as they are not getting any younger, nor am I.

I would say it is true -- Life IS a bowl of cherries...the possibilities are endless and it IS what you make of it...I made scones -- and VERY good neighbors along the way.

A little discussion about food...

wienerschnitzel mit pommes frites

Okay, I have to say... did NO ONE have a question about the name of my blog???  Be honest, who googled it?  (Stacey, you don't count...hehe)  Should it remain a question?  Nah.

In my opinion the best thing the French ever did was invent the "French Fry".  Which, according to Wikipedia, the French actually had very little to do with the French Fry...a disappointing fact.  The "french" in french fry actually refers to the julienning or "frenching" of the vegetable.  Who knew?  The frying is English - CHIPS!  We just wanted our "chips" a bit thinner it seems.

Why do I discuss the french fry with you on this lovely day?  Well, because I have been a lover of the French Fry for about as long as I can remember.  In fact, there have been times in my life that I may have survived for days solely on this culinary masterpiece.  (Really bad choice for the ass size, I must add...)  And I thought I would NEVER utter these words:  "I don't care if I never see another french fry as long as I live!"

Here in Germany, they like their fries.  Pommes Frites.  Mit Pommes Frites Bitte.  "With French Fries PLEASE!"  Oh, sure...initially I thought I had died and gone to French Fry HEAVEN! (yes, there IS such a place).  Then, after having about 12 meals in a row with a MOUND of beautifully crafted, golden brown, crispy delights....my tummy went into full revolt.  While my mind was still saying YES, YES, YES...!  (Well, who knows what my mind was actually saying - that is another blog all together...haha.)

Overall, I LOVE German food.  They really know how to cook pork, and veal - two of my all time favorites!  They don't do much chicken, sorta miss a nice grilled chicken salad.


More to follow about food in Germany soon! (and more photos soon!)

Adventures Abroad, disclosures, and other stuff

I intended to begin writing a blog immediately upon arrival in Germany, however, I must have been delusional thinking that I would have idle time to ponder the finer things in life.  My feet hit the airport in Stuttgart, Germany on April 27th (my 15 year Anniversary) and have not stopped since.
My goals for blogging all this are... a) I would like to share the trials and tribulations, as well as other fun and funny things associated with moving abroad, b) keep family and friends updated in ONE spot, and c) keep a journal of our experiences and photos for us to look at later.  It is day 23 in Germany (Sindelfingen Marriott) and I am JUST now finding a moment to discover just what in the H-E-Double Hockey Sticks "blogging" is and how to accomplish it.  So hang with me while I work out the "kinks".


Bear in mind that I have NEVER written anything (unless I was being forced to do so at gunpoint) so grammar, spelling, and all things deemed "important" for writing will not be joining us on this ride.  I will merely write from the heart and, hopefully, will not be punished for my imperfections along the way.  (if you feel the need to correct me, do so privately...as most of you know...I have a delicate ego..he-he).


So...where to begin.  At the beginning?  It's a very, very good place to start....(sorry, a little tribute to The Sound of Music).


THE MOVE


The move from Coronado was (cliche') bittersweet.  While we were so happy to have been given to opportunity to live in Germany for two years, we had been in Coronado for nearly 6 years and had developed lasting friendships and a home there.  But, as you all know...in the Navy...don't get too comfortable because that is when you move.  Our last few weeks in Coronado were especially nice, albeit, extremely hectic!  We had dinners or breakfasts with friends and a wonderful cast-off bonfire on the beach behind the NASNI Navy Lodge with most of our closest friends.  We will miss you all dearly!


It took a full week for pack-out, by FAR the craziest one ever.  They want you to 'compartmentalize' your belongings into three "piles" - - one for long-term storage (the stuff you may never see again, and frankly, probably do NOT need anyway), one for unaccompanied baggage - which everyone calls "express" shipment (which has NOTHING to do with anything remotely resembling "express," it generally arrives 1-2 weeks prior to the last, or "regular" shipment), and one for the rest of your CRAP that you really don't need either.  I can safely say this now having spent 23 days in a hotel with literally a computer and three sets of clothes. (I NEVER have the right shoes!)


ARRIVAL


Our sponsor family, The Irwin's, could not have been nicer!  Thank you to the Irwin's for making our transition smooth and enjoyable!  Chris, Jenn - YOU ROCK!  Thanks to them we have a wonderful home to move into, a car (which I have lovingly named The Green Hornet), and I have a recharged desire to get in great shape (thanks to Jenn - who is THE queen of Cross Fit and an every day inspiration for looking great and feeling great!)  I am going to miss you!


The Sindelfingen Marriott is going to be our 'home' for only about 12 more days, then the real fun begins!  I will post photos and info on our wanderings once those start - hopefully this weekend!


Tune in tomorrow as we discuss FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD!


TTFN!