More fun in the kitchen!

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chicken, Clean Eating magazine, cooking, curry, red apples

We had an amazing weekend!  The weather was in the low 70s.  A little odd for this time of year, but we went with it!  (No worries, it has since dropped to a more Fall like feel.)

As I have stated before, weekends are about relaxing and cooking.  Since Hubby and I do not work in the same city anymore,  we do a lot of catching up over home cooked meals and wine!

This weekend I make Chicken and Red Apple Curry with Couscous.  I will go ahead and say, I did good!

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With it being apple season, I could not wait to try this recipe from the magazine,  Clean Eating.   Love that magazine, by the way.  Paired with a chilled Chardonnay, we reached heaven!

The upcoming weekend will be quite chillier.  I am already thinking it is starting to look a lot like chili!

Have a fabulous Tuesday.

 

Prague, part 4

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Charles Bridge, crystal, Czech Republic, porcelain, Prague, traveling

Aw….the Charles Bridge.  The first thing I always pictured when I thought of Prague before our trip was the Charles Bridge.  It was the one sight I could not wait to see.  I envisioned us strolling hand in hand looking at each of the statues.  Yes, I knew there was going to be people on it.  Still my imagine was serene.  As we were coming up to it, I was getting excited.  Not kid in the candy store excited but pretty darn close!

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Hi there lovely bridge!

Then we got there.  Can you say a lot of people?

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Actually the people did not bother me.  They were just out enjoying the beauty.

What bothered me was this…

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Why did they have vendors on this beautiful historical site?  Yes, I know that people have to earn a living.  But why on the bridge.   I was so upset that I only took a couple of pictures and made my way quickly to the other side.  Hubby said we could come back at night and walk across in the moonlight.  I said no!  I know I should not have reacted that way.  I was disappointed.

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I will just appreciate the views for what they were meant to be.

Right after the bridge I saw this sign.  It made me smile.

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You cannot get much better than that!

Prague is known for its crystal and porcelain.  This was the place that started my love of dishes all those years ago.  Before we left, Hubby made me promise that I would not buy any plates, bowls, or platters.  He is under the impression that we have too many dishes.  I do not get it!  I did keep that promise.

Here are some of the goods in the shops.

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I did a lot of admiring, but only walked away with a gorgeous piece of  crystal, a set of salt and pepper shakers out of the blue porcelain you see up there, and a Christmas ornament.  Not too shabby!

We had an amazing time.  We would go back again.  However, we have a lot of other places that we need to see first!

Thank you for coming along this week.

Prague, part 3

Tags

architecture, Czech beer, Czech Republic, Golden Road, Prague

It is amazing the sights Prague has to offer.  Our weekend was well used exploring this fabulous city.

As promised, today I am going to show you the Golden Road.  This road was very close to the castle.  The road was unique in architecture. The ‘buildings’ were for the artists and their goods.

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Unique buildings because they were small.  I had to hunch over to get into the rooms!  The space was compact.  Yet, they seemed like they belonged.  All were painted different colors.  Some bright,  some in calmer shades.

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Cute and quaint!  Today some are museum like and some are shops.  Great atmosphere.

Hubby’s favorite part of the trip was the beer.  Czech is the home of the original Budweiser.  Never knew that.  I do not think he has ever had one!  However, he had time over the weekend to sample some beer.

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The last picture was at a place that offered beer tastings.  He enjoyed himself.

Tomorrow I will share the Charles Bridge, shopping, and just some random interesting shots of Prague.

Until then, enjoy your day!

Prague, part 2

Tags

Czech Republic, Prague, St. George Basilica, St. Vitus Catherdral, travel

You cannot go to Prague without taking a trip to the castle grounds.  Well, I guess you could but why not!

It was a beautiful morning when we set out for our tour of the castle area.

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The castle grounds was a nice walk upwards!  The walk was breathtaking!

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Come on in….

First up St. Vitus Cathedral

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Majestic isn’t?

Next we saw St. George Basilica.

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I do not know what it was but I really  loved this church.  It was just amazing.  The wood ceiling, the stone work, and the walls just brought it to life for me.

We could not take pictures inside the castle.  I can assure you it was fabulous.  Just what a castle should be.

To end this post, changing of the guard.

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Tomorrow Golden Lane and hubby’s favorite part of the trip.

 

Prague, part 1

Tags

Czech Republic, Jewish Quarter, Prague, traveling

Just love long weekends.  Having the time to play and explore is always fun.

Hubby and I spent the long weekend in the beautiful city of Prague.  This was a very personal trip for me.  As a young military spouse in the mid 90s, I was fortunate enough to spend some time in the Czech Republic.  This is where I fell in love with china and began to define my style.  I would get up way before the crack of dawn and hop on a bus and go shopping all day then get back to base about midnight. The first time I went I literally came back with one crystal vase.  It was overwhelming!  Plus I needed to really think about what I really wanted.  Once I figured that out, I was on a mission.

Fast forward to now,  we were not there to shop but there to be tourist.  Yes we did do some shopping!  Prague is a beautiful city.  Our favorite part was just strolling the streets.  The town that inspired the writing of Kakfa and the art of Alphonse Mucha did not disappoint.

Today, I going to share our time in the Jewish Quarter.  We both love history.  We arrived in Prague mid morning  on Saturday.  Instead of spending time standing in line at the castle, we decide to hit the Jewish Quarter and get to the castle grounds early Sunday morning.

The Jewish quarter is tucked away from the hubbub of the city.  It is quaint, quiet, and eeriely beautiful.

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We were treated to a lesson of the burial procedures in the museum.  The walls of the museum were covered with the names of people who were buried in the so to be seen graveyard.  A lot of names.

The graveyard itself was peaceful.  Hubby asked what graveyard isn’t.  I agree, but this one was a little different.

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When the city of Prague gave the land to the Jews, they already knew they did not have enough room.  Some were buried into walls as you see above.  Some of the grave stones are on the ground or pretty close.  The age of the headstones was evident.  You have to wonder if they ever thought hundreds of years later, if people from all over the world would be walking around looking at their last place on earth?

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Last photo today.  Here is a view that over looks the headstones.  Beautiful architecture.

This was our first stop.  A sobering one, but one that was on the list.

Tomorrow, I will share the castle and the amazing sights around that part of the city.

Happy Tuesday.

Currently

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Cheryl Strayed, Katherine Grissom, literature, The kitchen House, Wild

It is the beginning of a long weekend.  Just love federal holidays!  Hubby and I are off to Prague early in the morning.  Cannot wait!   Guess you know what I will be blogging about next week!

Where I lived before, I was involved with a REAL book club.  We actually discussed the books and we read some really good ones.  I miss the discussions.  However, I am not missing the books!  I know which books were selected.  I have been reading them.  Currently while driving I am listening to The Kitchen House.  And I am reading…

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at home.  I just stared wild by Cheryl Strayed.  So far I can see she was one messed up lady.  I can see where the mental and physical challenge of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail would change her life.  I know it would mine.  Looking forward to getting deeper into the book.  Maybe on the train to Prague…

 

Happy weekend everyone.

Something New

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cranberries, Duck, pasta, shiraz

This weekend I tried something new…duck.  I love cooking.  I love the order and the creativity.  They mesh somehow.  Now that I have more space in my kitchen, it was a pleasure.

So duck in a cranberry and wine sauce on a bed of crispy garlic Parmesan pasta.  Sound interesting?  It was.  It was also yummy!

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Here is the sauce.

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Here is the duck.  I ended up cutting it into smaller pieces because I wanted to make sure it was done.  I like to have my meat done, well done.

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And the final product!  A bottle of Australian Shiraz and we were just two very happy people.  I had heard that duck was a little tough.  I do have to agree.  It was not bad, but I will make a brine next time.

Love weekends.  Long days to explore food and experimenting in the kitchen.

Happy Wednesday.

Blast from the Past

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Bingo cards, games

It pays to be at the right place at the right time.  That was the case last week.  A friend of ours is moving back to the states after living in Germany for many years.  Bittersweet for us, but great for her!

She told me she found something as she was purging through her stuff before the movers come.  She has some really good stuff!

She said I could have them.  Great!  And it was!

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Old bingo cards.  I remember these!   I also remember the multiplication cards that were in the same format.  On the back they were stamped 1971.  They were used in an officer’s club here in Germany.  Back when there were ten thousands troops here and officer’s club were a big deal.

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Notice the sponsor!  I have five of the cards.  I just put them in a bowl in our guest bedroom.  That will probably not be their final home, but it works for now.

Just thinking about the saying someone’s trash is another one’s treasure.

Touches of Fall

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acorns, chesnuts, Fall decor, natural decor, pumpkins

As I have said many times, Fall is my favorite time of the year.  The colors are inspiring to me.

When adding touches of the season to our house, I want to keep it simple, natural.  It fits our lifestyle.  We are two very busy professionals that love the little things in life. We are not fancy but have high standards.

Here are some shots of season inside our home.  Enjoy!

 

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Acorns, pine cones, chestnuts, pumpkins, oh my!  Lovely views as you are holding  that steaming cup of hot tea.

Happy Monday.

 

Feeling the Fall

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Fall, pumpkin stands, pumpkins

I just could not bring myself to do it before the beginning of October.  I would pass by the pumpkin stands on the side of the road and check it out.  I would never stop.

October is here and it is ‘legal’ to check out the pumpkins!

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A little weird, but I went with it!

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Gorgeous colors and a pretty good selection.   I filled my basket and paid for the goods. It was so nice to come home and add little touches of Fall around the house.

Happy weekend everyone!