OKTOBERFEST ANYONE??

Hey Everyone!  I know it's February, but just got a note from Pete's colleague in Germany, asking if we want a table at Oktoberfest.  There's NOTHING I'd love more, than to go with all of you!!  The dates of Oktoberfest are Sept 20th to October 4th.  Please look at flights and hotel and see if you can swing it??  It's a memory to last a lifetime!!!   He needs to know by end of week if we want a table.  It works like a lottery, sort of, I think.  He said we'd have a good chance for a table in the afternoon, but nighttime is out.  but that's probably best.  I'm telling you, IT'S FUN!!

Murder Mystery

http://semgulf.com

Hey everyone, I've booked a flight 17th Feb to 24th Feb and would love to do this Murder Mystery Train if you all want to.  We'll need a number of who's going and someone to take charge?  I know I've asked before, and I know all the girls are in, except I don't think I heard from Linda.  But I'm not sure of any spouses, or kids……

Hey everyone!  So, here's the plan.  Christmas Eve, Pete will be making baked macaroni.  Kathy is making antipasto salad.  We need a volunteer to make a regular tossed salad or caesars salad and a volunteer to bring breads (for dinner and with antipasto)

On Christmas morning, we'll have breakfast mexican casserole and bagels.  (I'll make it)

For dinner, I'm getting honey baked ham and Pete's cooking Beef (like last year I think)  I will make brussel sprouts, onions, and gravy,

Lori-if you make the Cauliflower mash and roasted veg, that would be great! (carrots, beets, parsnips??)

Kathy, I'm giving you sautéed green beans with almonds and parmesan and cheesecake

Linsey-broccoli casserole

Bridget-scalloped potatoes and asparagus

Linda-mashed potatoes

Mary-pumpkin pie(s)

Mom-breads

Any other snacks? I don't know, anyone else that wants to make something they love to cook is welcome to, but please note it on here so we know what's coming.  Obviously if you're traveling and can't cook no problem.
These are suggestions, if you want to change, please just note it.  ok, hope this sounds ok??

Oy!  I can't find the conversation and I can't remember who all is going to the Miami Game on 29 December.  I know we are, plus Mom and Kathy.  Scott Thompson and his family.  Gerry's family plus one.  I guess I need to see if Bridget's whole family and if Chad and Linsey are going??  If Everyone is, we need to pick up a couple more tickets.  Maybe one. But at this early stage, it shouldn't be a problem.

Also, we're going to look into hiring a coach to get us down there, and THEN, we're going to organize a contest:  your best tailgating food!  We'll find a good price on the coach and split it, but I think that's better than all of us driving, trying to find parking, and find each other, and then tailgate.  SO, who's in??!?!?!  And think what your specialty will be?!?!  FUN!! Lori, if you guys are coming that'd be even better!  Let me know y'all!!  Plus if it's on here, I shouldn't lose it!!!

Getting Ready!

Well, we picked up some brick and stone for the new house today. We really are not sure what we are going to use but the price was too good to pass any of it up. I prefer stacked stone but it seems the brick is more abundant. These were left over on the homes we are building in the new subdivision. It was all going to be thrown out. Brick is baked in lots--kind of like yarn is dyed in lots. They can't take extra back because it won't match the other lots. Silly if you ask me. I can certainly understand if I were knitting a sweater I would want all the yarn to match. However, I don't believe any brick is identical even when it comes from the same lot. Surely you would not see enough of a difference to make a difference. Well, it isn't going to make a difference for us because these aren't even the same color. Of course I really just want stacked stone to go up the fireplace inside and outside the house. I can use the brick for a patio, driveway and/or a fir pit. I'll have plenty of uses for it. Either way I am taking all the free brick and stone I can get my hands on--while I can.

Change Brings Attention

I've noticed anytime there is a change in the photo, there are more comments. I guess I'll start uploading photos here instead of Flickr. Maybe more of the family will join in.

It's Time for a Change

What a fun day!! Coffee at a snobby little coffee shop, a walk through Duke Gardens and the Chapel, Jen's shower and then hanging out at Rick's. Nothing better than a family fix. We had so much fun can't wait for the next family get together.

We're bored....

Just wanted a change.

Let's do Something! Do you want to join our club?

http://www.plan-uk.org

So Bridget said a while back, that Brittany wants to save girls from struggles.  And I think we all support that.  But, because sometimes we all let things fall by the wayside, someone needs to DO something.  I know everyone works (ok, except me, bridget and mom-but we are not the MOST organized)  So, this is a link to a website I saw in a commercial over here.  If you take a minute to look through it, we could find something to get behind?  'Like' it on Facebook and you will get a post once in a while.
I just read an article about a group of women in Africa who meet once a month, and each one has to bring .20.  then 4 people can 'borrow'....here's the article:

http://www.plan-uk.org/news/blogs/guest-bloggers/women-of-boula-village-burkina-faso/


But let's do something.  If we each make a monthly contribution to our club, then we decide what to do?  If we send cash, ok.  If we decide to use it to make quilts, ok?  scarfs?  blankets?  or fundraise somehow??  We have a minimum, $5 but give as much as you like?  Anyway, what do you think??

I saw a commercial on TV today about girls forced into marriage.  This is their website.  You'll see they do help a lot of girls.  Maybe this is something we can all get behind?
http://www.plan-uk.org

I finally downloaded some photos.  This was one of my favourites!!

Queen of the Braun Clan!

There wasn't a bad picture of you this weekend, Mom! You look fabulous!!!!

Having FUN on Mom's Birthday!!!  We really had a blast!  And the food was delicious!!  Rick asked us to give her a hug, so we did.

2013

What ever your plans are for this year may they all be safe, healthy and happy!

Let the Holidays Begin!

 I think Mom makes a good looking Queen. She really should have been an actress.

We took it outside but it was a little cooler once we sat down to eat. We should have left it inside.

Time for A Change!

Yesterday Tony and I drove for hours just to shoot some of the fall foliage. I felt it was time to change the scenery on our blog. 

Progress on Our Scotty

I had to change things up a bit to get everyone's attention. John is doing a great job on the camper. He totally stripped it to the floor and replaced everything inside. Well, he hasn't put anything inside yet. He replaced the walls--all but the outside skins which he removed the old paint and repainted. He had to totally replace the roof because it was in 5 pieces and should have been one piece. I'll have more pictures soon.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/roman-style-chicken-recipe/index.html


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/chicken-zucchini-alfredo-recipe/index.html


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/honey-soy-grilled-salmon-with-edamame-recipe/index.html


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/white-chili-recipe/index.html


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/whole-wheat-spaghetti-with-lemon-basil-and-salmon-recipe/index.html

Here is a weeks menu for those of you interested.  On the first one, I have made it with all white meat.  The 3rd one, I can never find edamame so I make any other veg with it.  in the white chill, I used green pepper for the poblano pepper, and a can of corn for the can of hominy.  (but to make it more creamy, rather than 'broth', I would pulse one of the cans of white beans with about 1/2 cup of the broth, then add it, will make it nice and thick.  OK, these are all diet or healthy.  My rule is, if i do not have a starch (rice, pasta) I will have bread with my meal.  If I do, then no bread.  But I have to have one or the other.

Congratulations Neil & Amber!!!!

Welcome to the Braun Family, Amber McLean! We look forward to you joining us at all our family gatherings.

And now, although I wanted this to be all about Neil and Amber, I just had to throw this in, Go Bridget!!

We have had SO much fun!!  I don't want it to end!!  I've only put a few pictures on Facebook, but I've taken about 1,500, I'm gonna have to sort and pick the best and create the best album.  The top one is at Winchester Cathedral, the day before we went to Normandy out of Portsmouth.  Portsmouth is the same port our troops left from to go to Normandy.  We also saw King Arthurs table there.  We have several photo's like the one in the middle. There are 3 little heads in the way back seat but you can't see any of them because they're all sleeping too!  And when they weren't sleeping in the car, they were laughing and playing like in the bottom picture!  I love these kids!!  They've made our summer, and Hayle has had the best summer EVER!!