Oh Happy Day!

So, you may think that I am cheering "Oh Happy Day!" because it is New Year's Eve, well that's not exactly the reason, but Happy New Years either way!!

Why am I cheering?? We found fresh Jalapeños at a store in Loerrach (about 15 minutes away)!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe my eyes, and I desperately wanted to rip open the package just to take a bite of one (I would have never done that in Texas!!). I mean, sure, we are fortunate to be able to find pickled Jalapeños, but that is just not the same as fresh.

They were in a small section, hiding amongst the Bell Peppers, packaged in little styrofoam containers, 5 per package, and their label was Seranade Paprika. At first, I thought, "oh, these must be really large Serrano peppers, bummer", but then I spotted the actual Serrano peppers sitting just under the package I picked up. They were called Rawit Paprika. Interesting on the names.

So, I eventually found Thad...it was a rather large store...and as soon as I told him (and showed him) what I found, he immediately said "Where?? We have to get more!!". So we bought 4 packages. I know, what will we do with them all??

Well, Thad has already made a batch of Rob's Salsa (that's a good friend of ours who graciously shared with us his secret recipe). Currently, 5 are sitting in the oven being roasted...who knows what we will do with those. I already popped open our Grady Spears A Cowboy in the Kitchen cookbook to see if we can make some Cream of Jalapeño soup. Guess what!?!! We can, with a few minor subsitutions. So, we'll have to make another run to Loerrach, which is also home of the Asian food store where we can find huge bunches of Cilantro (Koriander here). And then, on Wednesday evening (because that is our next 'unplanned' meal), I will sit at our dining table with a great big grin as I pick up my spoon to enjoy some yummy green soup!!

Hee hee...I'm so giddy right now, our apartment smells, yes smells, like Jalapeños! Thank you Lord for this special end of the year treat!!

----- Update from Thad -----
Ok, so two batches are done and they are great! Once again, Thank you, Rob!!! The Jalepeno's roasting in the oven were added to the Chipolte batch. It is a little spicey (for a Texan, the people here may die or lose their tongue). Just wanted to give you a progress update!

Fantasy Football

The Kandern office had its first official Fantasy Football (American style) League this year. We had six teams competing for the Championship. It was a fun season to follow football stats, since we could not watch most of the games. The season started off kind of rough for me and a few others. There was much ridicule as we constantly adjusted our teams. Ultimately, the adjustments paid off. We had our playoffs the last couple of weekends.

Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has (or had) a Merry Christmas!

New Neighbors!

We have new neighbors!! Well, almost...they haven't moved in yet.

Since August (maybe a little before), we have been in an empty building. The Tanning Salon below us closed and our American neighbors upstairs also moved out. It has been really quiet and lonely in our little building.

Last Friday, upon returning home from work, I came across a couple standing on our drive way. They said they were waiting to meet with Herr Theil (our landlord) because they are moving in in three months. I was so excited (we both are)! They don't speak a lick of English which is a wonderful thing because that means we HAVE to speak German. While talking with them, I was of course rather slow in speaking, so the man asked if I was more comfortable speaking Alamanisch (the local dialect...which I don't think sounds like German). I laughed and said: "Oh no, I only know Hoch Deutsch (High German), so if you can, please use that with me."

They are really nice, and we look forward to not being so lonely. Pray for us as we learn to be good German neighbors (I'm sure there are rules that we will have to adjust to now...such as 'quiet hours').