12 Hours in Amsterdam

My trip home to Israel was a long one.  I calculated that I was “in transit” for about 36 hours from the time I left my parents’ home till I walked into our apartment in Jerusalem.  Trust me, that’s a long time to be without a good sleep in a comfy bed! 

But there was one really nice advantage of my long trip home…I had a 12 hour layover in Amsterdam.  In other words, I got to spend 12 hours touring around Amsterdam with David and Janneke, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.  It was the perfect way to break up a long trip!  

 
I have been to Holland on many occasions since meeting and marrying J, but it is rare that we do the tourist thing when we are there.  The only other time I had been in Amsterdam was during my very first trip with J back in 2004 when we spent a few hours in the city before taking the train to go meet his family. 

If you ever wondered what you can see in just a mere 12 hours in a city…stay tuned for pictures from my one-day tour of beautiful Amsterdam! 

Experiencing a Childhood Dream

My sister loved horses as a girl…and I honestly think that is why I loved horses as a girl. 
Living on a farm allowed us the privilege to have our share of ponies and horses throughout our growing up years.  It was a blessing to have a horse as a girl, but I remember wishing that I could be more involved with the horse world…showing, riding at a “real” stable in a “real” riding ring, tying my horse up at the crossties in a fancy barn, owning a pair of sleek riding boots, etc.  It’s funny, because if I ever would own a horse again, I would most likely prefer the type of riding I got to do as a child…bareback riding through the fields and meadow in my sneakers.  But alas, there are times as a child when you don’t always fully appreciate the blessing of what you already have. 
But all that to say, the “real” horse world does fascinate me, and I have been enjoying living vicariously through my sister and niece.  Renee, my 11-year old niece, is a member of her local 4-H horse club.  Therefore, my sister is also actively involved with horses once again.  They have befriended many generous and wonderful friends through 4-H who have happily shared their equine wealth with them.  This has allowed them both to be very involved with all aspects of horses…caring for their daily needs…riding…training…etc. 

The Lancaster County 4-H horse show was held the day before I flew back to Israel.  I was delighted to jump into the craziness of show preparation with them.  Friday night was spent at the barn taking care of last minute details…braiding Zap’s mane, polishing his hooves, cleaning the tack. 

The 4:00 AM alarm the next morning awaited us….

 

 
Renee and Zap in the walk/trot equitation class.

 

Renee and Mokey, the miniature horse that was gifted to my sister and niece.  They are having a great time training this little gal how to pull a cart!  She should be trained by next summer’s show season.  For now, Mokey is shown in halter classes. 

My sister has recently certified Mokey to be used as a therapy pet in nursing homes, schools, etc.  Very cool!! 

 

 

 

And I was very happy for the chance to ride Zap around the showground.  I was almost living out my childhood dream.  All that was missing were those sleek riding boots!   

Teresa and Renee – thanks for the very fun day!!

Giving it a Try

Upon arriving home, I was anxious to put my new Dutch Oven to use.  Without a doubt, the first meal needed to be a traditional pot roast dinner.  Hot ovens and summer temperatures aren’t the best combination, but I was not to be deterred!  The Jerusalem summer breezes and a strategically placed fan kept our household temperature to a tolerable level.  We were rewarded with a delicious meal that immediately pushed away our memory of the warm-ish house. 

I was very pleased with the Dutch Oven’s performance and am looking forward to many more opportunities to put it into use!  It is a tremendously versatile pot.  The options seem endless!  

After the searing of the vegetables and the roast on the stovetop….

After 5 hours of cooking in a low-temperature oven.  Yum…perfection! 

My Father’s History Room

For as long as I can remember, my father has been a collector…a collector of family heirlooms…a collector of books…a collector of old farming tools…a collector of documents related to our Mennonite roots.  Throughout my childhood, his new acquisitions would be tucked away into a room that was overflowing and fit the definition of “cluttered” to the T.  As a child, I was always amazed at how my dad could enter that cluttered and disorganized room and retrieve the specific item he was looking for…usually within just a few minutes! 

When my parents moved off the farm and into their new home, my father actualized a dream of his.  He created a small museum in the basement that allowed him to display many of his most precious items.  With the aide of my sister, who he refers to as his museum curator, he put together a beautiful room that displays his finest items and features our family history, our farm history, and our Mennonite history. 

During my recent trip to Pennsylvania, my dad and I spent some time in his room to begin recording information about the pictures and items in a more organized way.  Currently, most of this important information is inside his head.  The time I spent with him in his museum deepened my appreciation for what my father has done with his life-long hobby.  He has collected a wide range of items, many of which are directly linked to my ancestors.  It truly is a priceless collection.  

Each of the picture frames in the picture below display images of my paternal and maternal ancestors.  The bench is from Metzler Mennonite Church and is the bench that was used by the preachers.  The wainscoting is also from Metzler Mennonite Church that my dad salvaged when the interior of the church was redecorated.  

Looking at an 1814 edition of the Martyr’s Mirror with two family bibles to the side. 

My grandfather’s study chair.  Grandpa Sauder was a minister and bishop in the Mennonite church.  Countless sermons were composed while he sat in this chair.  The chair is sitting beside an old Sunday School table from Metzler Mennonite Church.  These were  the tables used in the Sunday School rooms when my parents were children and when I was a child. 

 

 

The matching sweaters that my parents wore when they were dating. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three items that were made by my great-great grandmother.  The man pictured is my great-grandfather, son of the woman who made the items and my Grandmother Sauder’s father. 

   

This is just a very small sampling of what my dad has collected over his lifetime.  If you have the opportunity to visit, you most definitely should.  The museum has free admission :)

More Celebrations of Birthdays

It’s been a relaxing time in Pennsylvania, and J and I enjoyed a relaxing holiday weekend in Lancaster with my family.  It was great to see fireworks on the 4th of July once again!  Not so much for my patriotic spirit, but rather for my own idea of what constitutes a genuine birthday celebration.  Since my birthday falls on the day after America’s Independence Day, fireworks have always been a part of my birthday experience.  I have loved every moment of my past two birthdays since moving abroad…but I must confess that I missed the fireworks! 

But being able to celebrate my birthday this year with my family was even more special than being able to watch an impressive fireworks display the evening before.   On the evening of my birthday, we convened at my brother’s farm (where I grew up).  Despite the sweltering heat and humidity, we had a wonderful time together.   I feel cherished and loved and blessed. 

In the picture, J just presented me with my birthday gift from him.  I have long coveted a Le Creuset Dutch Oven, and I am super excited to go home and put it to use.  The less noticeable side of J’s birthday gift is his promise to carry it back to Israel for me.  This cast iron pot weighs a ton! 

Celebrating Birthdays in Fine Style

I am very happy to be in the US for a 3-week visit!  J needed to travel to Pennsylvania for work, and we decided I would travel with him.  With my birthday just around the corner, the thought of celebrating my birthday with my family was too tempting to not make the trip!  I came a week earlier than J, to allow for some extra time in PA.  The added bonus of my extra time in PA was that it allowed me to also celebrate my brother-in-law’s 40th birthday with family.  His life-long dream has been to fly through the air like a bird.  Wes actualized this dream by jumping out of a plane this past Saturday. 

I was happy to join in the fun of the day.  I took a few pictures to help document the day, but was unwilling to do a photo shoot alongside Wes in the air.  So this guy had those honors!  

Actively participating in the hour-long training. 

 

Suited up and one final bit of training with the mock airplane door and wing. 

You want me to do what at 10,000 feet (3.050 meters) above ground?!  Step out of the plane and then let go?! 

 

 

 

 

Taking off….

They did a free fall at about 150 miles/hour (240 km/hour) for 5,500 feet (1.676 meters) and then opened their parachute.  We could only spot them after they deployed the parachute. 

There they are!  Showing off with some spins. 

 

A safe landing and officially now part of the club of crazy people who think jumping out of a plane is a fun hobby!

A Wonder Ingredient

Crème Fraiche (that wonderful French sour cream-like product that is slathered on Tarte Flambee) has become my most versatile and beloved recipe ingredient.  Readily available in French grocery stores, I am quickly learning why it is a French kitchen staple.  I have enjoyed using it in the food I make, once I realized how easy it is to make your own crème fraiche (How to Make Crème Fraiche).  All that is required is two ingredients (heavy cream and buttermilk) and 24 hours! 

So why is crème fraiche such a versatile ingredient? 

It works equally well in sweet and savory dishes.  Crème fraiche is in this chocolate cake…

…and is the primary ingredient in the creamy layer that lies under these plums. 

Or whip it with a bit of sugar and serve it with fresh berries, as a richer and creamier alternative to whipped cream. 

Since it doesn’t curdle, it is a perfect replacement of heavy cream  or sour cream when making sauces.  I can’t tell you how many times I have ruined a perfectly good sauce because I accidentally curdled the cream!  For example, add a small amount to pasta sauce and you instantly have a creamy tomato sauce. 

Serve pureed soups with a bit of crème fraiche to add a touch of rich creaminess to the food. 

Mix it with fresh dill and you have a perfect dressing for a cucumber salad. 

I imagine it adds a lot of flavor to mashed potatoes if you use it to replace the milk and butter.  Or a rich, creamy texture to a quiche.

The more I experiment with crème fraiche, the more ideas I come up with as possible uses. 

Crème fraiche is rich…very rich.  It is certainly not a low-calorie option.  But a little bit goes a long way, and it adds a lot of flavor to food.  Trust me, it’s a far better option to eat a smaller portion of food made with crème fraiche, than a larger portion of food made without. 

I encourage you to try making a batch for yourself and have fun experimenting with it!