father's day

At Mozart's on Lake Austin.
It was a lovely summer evening, hot, but with a breeze.

Silly guys when they 'have to' smile. *grin*

the grace's

June 7th - Jason & Rebecca Grace - Austin, TX

It was as hot summer day this first weekend in June, but it was a sweet sweet wedding for our friends Jason and Rebecca. Hosted in a family friend's backyard partially under a tent and on a suspended deck the wedding was truly delightful. In the midst of the striking Texas summer heat the Lord provided an excellent breeze to blow over the crowd from time to time. There were paper lanterns and little tinkle-bells in the trees and little white lights strung all about. Even open bud roses floating in the jacuzzi.

Rebecca was an absolutely stunning bride dressed in a vintage wedding gown that was TOTALLY her. It was ivory and oh-so-flowing, and the flair was very vogue.

For dinner's main course was Bill DieBall's famous smoked brisket and chicken. He even set up a cutting block and sliced it right there for our buffet line. It was sooo good! The sides were three types of salads and baked beans. The first two were a wild lettuce with breaded goat cheese and pears; and a wild lettuce with artichoke hearts, dried cranberries, and pinenuts both made by two of Rebecca's aunts. And next was a delicious potato salad made by the Fehrenbach (jrs...as my dear husband deemed us). The baked beans were sooo yummy thanks to Dawn Wilson. One of her many cakes (the slice pictured above) was rumored to have been made by Dori. It was divine!

Erik and I along with the Wilson's, Aaron and Mandy were asked to be the event's musicians. Having heard the unique wedding march less than two days prior, there were still some nerves as we sat under the shade of the oak trees in the yard. Erik and Aaron were on guitar. Mandy stroked the mandolin, and somehow I was chosen for the keyboard. Eek! There was no hiding in the bathroom until it was over for me this time. Dispite those infrequent stage-fright backflashes from my childhood piano recitals, the day went pretty smooth for us. The song Jason chose for the wedding march plays over and over in my head even now. On the mp3 there are definite strings and a banjo as well (probably a whole orchastra actually), and whenever we play it somehow my brain fills in all the other missing instruments. Funny, anyways...

spf 40+

From my sister residing in Portland,
just sending a little 'cooler' thoughts our way...

happy birthday, daddy!

Today, up in Portland my family (minus Erik and I) are all gathered to celebrate my dad's first birthday as a retired man. That's right, after 28 years of supporting the fam by means of the up-and-down life of the elevator industry my father has finally reached retirement. Yeah! for him!

As I understand it, he's been keeping himself occupied with various landscaping plans including planting hedges around the yard. Thankfully the weather has been incredible up there this time of the year. Mom says that having dad around is like having a date every single day. *grin* I'm so glad that they can spend these days together.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

We LOVE you!

erik's kitchen kreation

Intentionally spelled with a K, this Kreation was born from the contents of our fridge and devoured by my very pleased-with-himself husband.

He calls it his Saterday Sandwich.

Yes, again intentionally with an E. :) E for Erik... or just to make the title a little catchy or as some one else has stated "cute". He loves to make sandwiches - especially on Saturdays. So after his late morning cups of coffee he goes to the fridge to see what he can find. This weeks' creation inspired him to photograph it and start a facebook group in it's honor.

Check it out here: The Saterday Sandwich!

If you have a sandwich that you love to make, just created yourself, or think he should try leave him a post there regarding it and upload a photo if you've got one.

I'm trying to lure him in the way of blogger... so I started him a page in the same name... look here... don't know if it will katch. *grin*

five months & lovin' it!

Even though along with getting married my life was marked with so much change that has been taking me some time to become adjusted to, I am still happy I got married. It's been so sweet to have a DH to pass through this change with. He is truly my Schatzi (German for Sweetheart).

Today was marked by no special joy or grief or strife. Getting along with only one working car, I ventured to change my dreaded three-day (Th/F/M) 5th grade substitute position in a ghetto area to a two-day (F/M)Art at a different school, thus giving Erik and I the day to spend together. We slept late and then drove my car over to his folks to give it a much needed bath. He successfully repaired one of the few disfunctional cars in the driveway and we gave that one a bath as well. After a short visit with his mom we headed out to the grocery store to see about some grub. The evening was spent with our home meeting core group. It's been sweet to see what the Lord has been doing in and among us at this time.

the after-glow

We've really been enjoying our Friday night home meeting this semester. Especially some of the 'after-glow' times of singing and psalming with our hearts to the Lord... and other times just cuttin' the rug with our homies. hee hee. j/k. *wink*

(Not pictured: Mary & Jeremy. Special guest: Neal)

it's what's for dinner

Baked Herb-Crusted Chicken Breasts - It's what's for dinner.
A Delicious and easy meal.

favorite german-puff pancake

2 tbsp. butter
2 eggs
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. milk
Powdered sugar
Lemon juice

Heat oven to 400 degrees (must be hot). Melt 2 tablespoons butter in quiche pan in oven (ceramic works best, glass is second best). Beat eggs, add flour. Mix well (use wire whip) until smooth. Add milk and beat again. Pour into hot melted butter in pan. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown on edges (like a large popover the edges will be puffy). Remove from pan onto plate. Sprinkle with lemon juice (2 tablespoons) and powdered sugar. Cut and eat.

This delicious treat is an excellent meal breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

a way above the chimney tops...

Just wanted to post a few photos from our plane ride from Austin to Portland!

That's where you'll find me...

Some where over the rainbow...

Way up high!

Birds fly over the rainbow...
Why then, o why can't I?