YOWZAA!!!...

...It's been 10 whole days since I was here last!! Good grief where does the time go?!?! Let's see, Wednesday I got to spend some time with Toriana and Jill. Jill didn't get to get anything done that she wanted to, but we did get a walk in! Thursday I spent a good portion of the day chatting with my friend. (I hope I didn't wear her completely out?!?!) We had gentle conversations about politics (I know! That's not supposed to be discussed in polite company!!), children, just life in general. Friday night, Kent and I celebrated our anniversary in style (Sorry, Mom and Dad! Spendin' the time with you was great, but not much of a fancy celebration!!). We ate at a restaurant called Trellis and then spent a night by ourselves in a hotel. Poor Coda had to spend his 6th birthday night all alone! The next day we just meandered the day away by going to Fry's, IKEA (where we picked up a very fun crown chew toy for the birthday boy!) and Pike Place Market. Sunday I had to work nice and early, but for that I'm done at 10, still make it to Meeting (always a refreshing quietness after the morning rush!) and then the rest of the day is spent with family. It sure seems like I've had lots of work going on, but I have managed to get some cooking done! Monday night was Rinderrouladen (I'll post the recipe after!) with Spätzle (German egg noodles) and Rotkohl (sweet and sour red cabbage), Thursday was Borscht (Russian beat/veggie soup) and Pelmeni (Russian tortellini) day. I made another new recipe, too, but transposed a measurement on two different ingredients and so it turned out, well, not so great. The family didn't like the texture, although, if not for the extreme vermouth-iness, I liked it a lot! I have managed to get a few cards made, but not near enough! Tonight we had Tiana's charge, her BFF Toria and my friend Jenna's daughter for the evening. We ended it very nicely with a sing at Kelvin and Carie's. So, not really just a whole lot to talk about here, but, now you
are up to speed! Have a great weekend!



















Toriana enjoying a nice filet of fish!





Birthday Boy Coda enjoying ripping his crown apart!!









Rinderrouladen (German Beef Rolls)

4 slices of beef, pounded to 1/4" thickness (from a chuck roast works!)dijon or German mustard
salt
pepper4 slices of bacon
2 gherkins (not really dill, not really sweet!!, but err on the side of sweet)
1 small onion cut into strips
flour
Oil
1 small celery root, peeled and diced
1 parsnip, peeled and chopped
1 leek, sliced
1 onion, quartered
1 carrot, peeled and chopped

Spread mustard on each beef slice. Salt and pepper. Put one slice of bacon, 1/2 of a pickle, some onion on each slice and roll up; fasten with string or toothpicks. Dip in flour.
Heat oil in large covered skillet. Brown rolls good on each side. Add vegetables and allow them to cook a bit with the meat. Add water to cover; bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer about 1 hour. Turn rolls often and add water if it is evaporating too much. Remove rolls and keep warm. Remove and discard veggies. Make a water and flour slurry and add to liquid. Bring to boil and allow to thicken. Guten Appetit!!

So, I didn't make these, but they look similar to mine!