Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The good morrow.

Holly, you would understand this need to revisit literature on my trip. These words I read are the works of a time when Dreaming 101 was on everybodies semester schedule. I love to look back and see the notes in the margin of my anthology book. I love to read lines dear to me.

I'm ready for today, Lord in all it's wonders. Help me to praise you as I go along. I'm ready to soak up all that I am offered. Let it be.

I wonder, by my troth, what thou and I
did till we loved? Were we not weaned til then?

And now good morrow to our waking souls, which watch not one another out of fear: For love all love of other sights controls, and makes one little moon an everywhere. Let sea-discoverers to new worlds have gone,
Let maps to others, worlds on worlds have shown,
Let us possess one world, each hath one, and is one.

My face in thine eye, thine in mine appears.

Where can we find two better hemispheres,
without sharp North, without declining West?

The Good-Morrow by John Donne, 1572-1631

Highlights for first day in Germany.

Trying to choose the right door at the bathrooms and seeing other Americans struggle.

Driving 100 mph on the autobahn and asking about the exits for Ausfart.

Green hillsides and quaint towns on our drive to her house.

Meeting Heidi and Paul's Bible study group and hearing Paul lead. Watching Paul play softball. Heidi's delicious bagel sandwiches.





Seeing people pulled over on the side of the road to pee.

Seeing a gaggle of Europeans outside their economy cars stretching on their long summer trips. They're so healthy.

Being with Heidi. And Paul.

Flying on the fly

I arrived to stand in line behind what seemed like an African Queen (complete with tribal hat) and her brood. She and her family seemed a little tethered for so early in the day and I noticed the bulky luggage they would have to have checked and eventually have to pick up to lug through various airports. A French woman came up to me and asked me if this was the line for Delta. I assured her it was and that having only internet paper prints was just fine. She continued to look worried. Well, I thought, here we go. When would it be my turn to lose it? Would it be early in the journey? How early? Now?
I decided to smile and greet the day and its people with a willingness to listen and go. So with everything in hand I stepped inside to e-check my bags and my ticket. A lady asked me to help her and I politely took her through the steps. When it didn't work for her, she began to seek help like a lost child. Oh boy. Well, here we go.
To sum up, the trip was great, I found my connections, was able to grab bites and had fairly amiable people to sit by on board each plane. As I look back now I think the experience was so good, it was almost like a first baby. That first baby is so good, you think sure honey let's have another one. And then of course the second child comes in kicking and screaming into the world, demanding more attention than you know existed in your busy schedule.
The day was not without it's funny episode. As I was leaving the bathroom after arriving in Atlanta, I was tapped on the shoulder from behind. I turned to find a young college woman from my earlier flight who politely said "Like, you have like, a three-foot long piece of toilet paper stuck under your backpack." I turned three shades of red and found the nearest bathroom. She felt sorry for me because she added "Don't worry I think I'm the only one who saw."
Lovely, I thought.

Arriving in Frankfurt was a breeze. I was starting to hear more German and found I was o.k. with that. I found my baggage and looked around, no problem. There were signs and I was intelligent. I would ask for help and find the USO office, which is where Heidi told me to head. I walked up to an information desk and said good morning with the smile that had brought me this far. The clerk understood "USO" and pointed to the outside doors several yards away and said: "You need to go through those doors outside." O.k. I said and walked off.
As I was walking I began to notice a loud clicking sound that seemed to follow me everywhere. It was my suitcase making that noise, a recently acquired noise from, I could only assume, the talented Delta baggage personnel. Slightly annoying, as it seemed to announce my every move to the entire building. "Heather Shores has arrived in Frankfurt folks."
I walked to the outside doors and wondered why I would be sent outside to get to an office inside. Something didn't feel right. Did I misunderstand where he pointed?
I walked to another info desk and asked again. This time they told me Terminal C1. O.k. I can do that. I jumped on the sky train and off I went.
Long story short, I spent the next 2 hours walking around trying to find the (by this time)"stinkin'" USO. I had been sent to United Airlines by mistake and no one seemed to know USO. How is this possible? Heidi said there would be maps, there were no maps. After wandering around terminal A, B AND C, I finally headed back to terminal D/E. I would return to the baggage claim and wait. Heidi would have to find me there.
After 5 minutes of sitting I decided Frankfurt Airport was not going to beat me and I headed out again, this time with success. After checking very carefully when given directions and having the person point on a map, I gave it a go. Another sky train trip and escalator later, Heidi met me and we happily began our time together.

A visit to beaver cottage before leaving on a very adventurous adventure


I won't tell you why it was that I came to Sam and Katie Marten's house so late, but I did. I arrived at no earlier than 11:50 p.m. Jared and Tyler had already gone to bed and I was informed that Jared, in particular, was upset that he would not be seeing me. Knocking apologetically on the door, I was greeted by a warm smile and immediate tenderness and care. Sam was promptly asked to go and get my luggage and I was shown into the kitchen for smart conversation and a glass of water. Why did Sam need to go get my luggage I asked myself. I was among family, among friends, among people concerned for me. Thank you Sam and Katie for a first stop on a fantastic journey. As I was shown my wonderful room and given soaps and towels for a morning bath, I was again thanking God for his blessings on this (the Marten) family. They have an amazing heart for Jesus. Katie, thank you for sharing your heart with me on the way to the airport. Your mothering inspires me and warms me. May the Lord richly bless you.




As I woke that morning for my trip I felt like Lucy or Peter or Susan ready to face a journey after their time with Mr. and Mrs. Beaver. Yes, that's what this house was: a refresher. There always is one in every good story. Think about Lord of the Rings and the keeper of the forest who allows them to stay in his manor as long as they wish, until they are ready to depart.




Excerpts from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

"They were standing on the edge of a steep, narrow valley at the bottom of which ran-- at least it would be running if it had not been frozen, a fairly large river. Just below them a dam had been built across the river and when they saw it everyone suddenly remembered that of course, beavers are always making dams and felt quite sure that Mr. Beaver had made this one. So it was only common politeness when Susan said, 'What a lovely dam!' And Mr. Beaver didn't say 'Hush' this time but, 'Merely a trifle, merely a trifle."
'Here we are and it looks as if Mrs. Beaver is expecting us. I'll lead the way.'
The first thing Lucy noticed was a kind, lovely she-beaver sitting in the corner with a thread in her mouth working busily at her sewing.
'So you've come at last. At last, to think that ever I would see this day! The potatos are on boiling, the kettle's singing and I daresay, Mr. Beaver will get us some fish.'
'That I will' said Mr. Beaver.
............
'There's no time to lose.' Everyone began bundling themselves into coats except Mrs. Beaver who started picking up sacks and started laying them on the table and said: 'Now Mr. Beaver just reach down that ham.'
'What are you doing Mrs. Beaver?' said Susan.
'Packing a load for each of us dearie, you didn't think we'd set out on a journey with nothing to eat, did you?'

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis, 1950.



And that is how it was with me, I arrived, I was given food and rest and sent on my way prepared for the journey. Thanks Marten Family.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Keep a journal, the moleskin log book



Technology is great, but technology fails and paper is a sure thing. I say do both. I bought a mole skin soft bound journal ($8) and love it. It's inconspicuous and hides all my touristy info like daily planners, site address and recommendations. There's plenty of room for journaling. Simple tools assist inspiration; these journals have been used by the likes of Van Gogh and Hemmingway, and Oscar Wilde. Mole skin journals are not made out of mole skin but soft, durable cotton. Of course this great item orginated in Paris. If they can prepare an egg 200 different ways, leave it to the French to find timeless perfection in the simple.




It's all I have to bring today


It's all I have to bring today –
This, and my heart beside –
This, and my heart, and all the fields –
And all the meadows wide –
Be sure you count – should I forget
Some one the sum could tell –
This, and my heart, and all the Bees
Which in the Clover dwell
.
Emily Dickinson


This Texas girl has learned how to pack light. At least I'm halfway through the ordeal. I wanted you to see all the toiletries I'm taking. I was pretty proud of myself. Steves says limit yourself to 20lbs and I wonder if I can do it. I don't really need to because I have a home base, but it'll be fun to try.


Staying for longer than a week? Have really long hair and a three ounce bottle of shampoo means two washes? Buy local. Use toiletry needs as an opportunity for heading to a local pharmacy. Remember if you think you can't do without a particular American item ask yourself how do millions of Europeons survive without it?

Planning



There are certainly enough books out there on planning a trip to Europe, but let me tell you the best out there is Rick Steves. There's a picture of Rick Steves in one of his books swimming with his glasses on around a maypole and turning a goofy smile to the camera. His white arms are in great contrast to every one else around him. This pictures sums him up. Rick Steves is a Globetrotter square. He always wears a belt and always tucks in his shirts. Reminding me of John who always tucks in his shirts, even on dingy work days. I love it. To hear Rick speak is adorable. He's got a nasally voice and often uses "Beaver Clever" phrases to show his dislike. Immediately you think: If this guy can have a good time in Europe so can I.

Things I learned:

Cross check everything. Don't rely on one website or source. A website or book might appear to be the mecca for trip info, but if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Tripadvisor.com, hotels.com and google maps are all great ways to get updated traveler reviews of locations. Don't rely on one too heavily. Once you find the hotel, book through them to create a relationship. Don't be an internet invoice to them.

Invest in travel books or check them out at the library. Learning new information and making it part of your deep memory takes looking at something at least three separate times. To get a word into your lexicon, research shows you must use it 10 times. My point is: if you read some info more than once, it's probably a good thing.

Use Rick Steves' free website and pod casts. Intimidated by the word podcast? Don't be. He's got it down to a few user-friendly clicks. Listen to his pod casts before you go to a particular museum. The idea is to feel as if you've been there all your life and are enjoying it one more time. Enjoying a museum means making connections to your personal self. Skip things that don't interest you and move on to things that do. Rick Steves wisely said that not enjoying a museum can have much to do with not having any background knowledge. If I throw a novel at my kids and tell them to read it, they hate it. But if I set up the story, give them fun facts, they're suddenly all ears.

Be still. Once the planning is done, let it go. You've planned and planned and want so badly to do everything on your list, but you'll shut out fun this way. Let it go. It's like planning a wedding or planning a behind the scenes of a drama production. Planning can only get you so far and then it's time to have fun.

Don't allow books to dictate what you should see and do. Listen to those inner pullings towards one thing or another. When my friend Rachel took me to a Glen Eyre Castle in Colorado Springs for my birthday, it was quite humorous to see me stare at things like bathroom tiles and plaster mouldings while others moved on. I know from this that I love architecture. Listen to yourself. What other high interest point will I be checking out in Europe? Books! Bet you'd never guess.

Reading material musts:
Rick Steves' Europe Through the Back Door
Rick Steves' Europe 101 Art Appreciation
Rick Steves' London
Rick Steves' Paris
DK's Top Ten London
DK's Top Ten Paris
Frommer's 24 Walks in Paris
Frommer's 24 Walks in London

Invitation to follow my travels



If you've found this blog, chances are you're a close friend or family member. If you've made it this far, then come in a little farther, sign up as a follower and enjoy Europe with me. Nose around some of the other articles and learn a little bit about my life in Colorado. Make as many comments as you like, I get such a kick out of reading them and often times make a quick return comment.

Also, sending me an email in Europe will be free (to some extent)and instantaneous due to this fancy new phone I have, so feel free to contact me directly at heathershoresincolorado@gmail.com for questions or just to say hi, I'm sure I'll respond.

I wanted to say a big thank you to Heidi and Paul for being such a great travel "spring board" for our family. Even though you're family and you have to let us in, thanks for allowing us into your home and letting us see and enjoy things abroad. We all love Mom and Dad so much and would not have been able to give them the anniversary trip without ya'll. Thanks for being excited along side all us family members who show up as starry-eyed tourists. Great job! (that's teacher talk for "great job")

Most of all I praise my Heavenly Father for the wonderful opportunities He provides for our family and for me, personally. Summertime has given me the time to sit back and take a breather. It really is pretty nice around here. Lord, you watch over me, provide for me and through the years you've even seen to my heart desires, those things that let me know you love me. I know I don't deserve them, I can be a stinker (Aunt Marilyn term). Lord please let others see Christ in me as I travel. Please keep me safe as I travel.

By the way, Holly I want you to know I forgive you for drinking my Dublin, Texas Dr. Pepper all those years ago, the pain is not so bad any more. Well it might have been Tristan, and if it was I'm not ready to forgive you.

Happy reading.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Aluminum measuring cups: A sign of a cook comfortable in her own kitchen




Why do we have to buy those heavy measuring cups when half the time we end up shaking the cups to even out the dry ingredients inside? I have used the nice stainless steel cups before and find they are not good for shaking out dry ingredients. Paula Dean has the most beautiful measure cups I've ever seen but they're pewter and weigh a ton. You're thinking why don't you just buy a nice Tupperware set? The answer is simple: come out with clear or white colors and I will.

When I'm trying to throw together some ranch-style biscuits I don't have time to grab the knife and level. I don't think I want to either. I want to shake it quickly and get it in. Thus I've decided to keep aluminum measure cups in my kitchen. I found some here and there in thrift stores and love them. I was a little concerned about the health issue but Mom says since I'm not cooking in them, they can't harm anything. Good--let the flour fly.


The next thing I'd love to find are some of those vintage aluminum cups. Remember the ones your grandma had, the ones with the jeweled colors and the curved lip? Cold water always tasted better in those things.

ALL PICTURES ON THIS BLOG POST ARE LOVINGLY HOME GROWN.

Friday, June 25, 2010

A broken window



Last week I was staying up very late because I was so excited about my trip. I was watching Shawshank Redemption and was at the part where Morgan Freeman is walking to the boat on the Mexico coast line. I was ready for bed. A gun shot sounded or at least it felt like that. I was in shock and didn't move. I finally got up to realize someone had thrown a mango sized rock at my window (three feet away from my head). Thankfully I have double pane windows and it did not break through. I immediately called 911.
Now this is where it gets interesting. An officer came within five minutes. Officer Andrew. He consoled me and looked genuinely concerned. He then informed me that Officer Jared was on his way and was particularly mad about the whole ordeal. You see Officer Jared and his wife live in the house behind me and have a similar color house as mine. Jared and Vicki and I have often shared a good laugh outside and talked about grass, lawns, or painting, or the neighborhood. He was even the officer to respond one night in the early years of this house when I thought I heard a scary noise (silly I know). Jared was very concerned and thought maybe the culprit had intended his house and had accidentally hit mine. He didn't want any harm for him to come to me unintended. As we talked the two policemen learned of my trip and decided to place my house on watch. Since then it's been quiet and I've seen a police car drive by twice already in the pm.

The next morning I headed over to the Freehlings for a little chat with coffee, and they were equally concerned and talked with me about fixing my window and what I needed to do. Dave told me he would begin to park his car next to my house and talked to me about getting timers on my lights inside. Officer Jared showed me where to put the outside light I'm installing.

Dad, I know it's hard for you sometimes to think about your little girl being up here, but God has really nestled me amongst angels and I praise Him for it.

The bicycle, the bicycle surely, should always be the vehicle of novelists and poets. ~Christopher Morley, American Journalist



That settles it then. I need a bike and not just any bike but a bike for rambling.
When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. ~H.G. Wells


How can one live in a town like Cañon and not have a bike? I ordered my bike online and had to wait ten long days to get it. Then I had to have someone assemble it and I felt like a kids waiting for the new transformers toy of the 80's.

But it arrived and I was so happy.

Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. ~Mark Twain, "Taming the Bicycle"





ALL PICTURES ON THIS BLOG POST ARE LOVEINGLY HOMEMADE

Smooth and creamy alfredo for the masses: Alfredo Secrets

ALL PICTURES ON THIS BLOG POST ARE LOVINGLY HOMEGROWN



You know you've done it. You've tried your best to make it like Olive Garden or your favorite family owned Italian restaurant. You've surfed the net and tried obscure recipe, one after the other in the hopes that this would be the one. I admit it, I'm guilty of wanting to make my own cream sauce without having it look like I just popped a pimple in the middle of my forehead. (I'm a middle school teacher, just block out the picture I created, sorry.) Anyway, I found it! Well, I didn't really find it, I had to create it, but this recipe is so basic I'm sure it exists in better minds than mine. As I explain the recipe I'll put special emphasis on the parts that really do make it smooth.

Try it, it works. If you end up passing this recipe on, please give credit to this blog. Thanks so much.




What you need:
1 large skillet (creates more heat space and speeds up reduction)
1 wire wisk (a must)
1 stove burner kept on very low heat. (Though it sounds funny to list, you've got to remember low and slow!)We'll really about 20 minutes tops.

Ingredients:

1 stick of butter
2-3 T. flour
1 8 oz. carton of whipping cream (not table cream, not half and half, not HEAVY whipping cream)
1 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan (must be the consistency of what comes in a Kraft can, not the bag)
1 cup water
1 can chicken broth (optional)
1/2 cup preferred white wine (optional)

Directions:
Have all ingredients ready to be used near your skillet.

In a skillet melt butter, if you fear burning or even browning the butter, melt it in the microwave to save yourself the stress and then pour it into the skillet. I don't have any kids, so while the butter is slowly melting I'm doing other things like putting dishes away or starting the water to boil for pasta.

The key moment: After the butter is melted, with the wisk in hand and the 2 T. of flour in the other hand, "dust" the butter with flour and wisk rigorously. In short, the butter coats the flour and when it's added to any other ingredient the butter helps melt away the flour into the sauce. The is called a "roux" and is the basis for many great French dishes. But no one seems to share this obvious direction in other sauce recipes.

After the butter has absorbed all the flour, next pour in the cream, wisk until it appears that things have smoothed out.

Now it's time for the cheese. Just plop it all in there and stir. It will be lumpy, but all it needs is a little time to melt.

Here's where the water comes in. If left on its own, the sauce will reduce and be too thick. But you're going to add a little water to keep it at the consistency that you want. It takes about a cup. Remember go slow because you can always put in, but you can't take out the water. If you do put too much in, just add more cheese.
To make it more flavorful substitute chicken broth or white wine with the water. I use a mixture of both, more broth than wine is perfect.

Cook on low until it is the consistency you want. Remember it will be runnier on the stove than when it cools. Happy eating. I'm glad I could share this great secret with you. Hope it works for you like it did me. Let me know how it goes.

Where are all the other things?
Some grocery store jars and lesser cooks try to add herbs to their sauce to hide the imperfection of its smoothness. Mine doesn't do that. After you make perfectly smooth alfredo, then feel free to add vegetables, meats, herbs etc. to dress it. Try it as the sauce on a pizza. Yummy!

A Texas Crik and a Colorado Creek: There's a creek in Cañon City

ALL PHOTOS ON THIS BLOG POST ARE HOME GROWN.


Not everything in Texas is bigger. In Texas we're used to trickly criks big enough to dip our feet in on a summer day in July. To compenstate though we've got rivers that flood on a usual basis. In Colorado we can build closer to our rivers because they don't flood on a grand scale. Cañon City has a large creek that has been negotiated throughout the city. It runs through neighborhoods, in front of houses, in back of houses and under roads. In the summer time I can take a walk beside one only blocks from my house. These are pics of a lovely arbor built over one of the creek bridges. Honeysuckle has grown over and just looks dreamy. Enjoy.





Come on by and hide away from the sun for awhile in this shady slice of small town paradise.

You'd think I was in Europe already

ALL PICTURES ON THIS BLOG POST ARE LOVINGLY HOMEGROWN.



My kids often ask me why I moved to Cañon City, and I tell them this is my dream life. They look at me and tell me as soon as they're old enough they will leave town. I reply with a knownig smile that I did the same and encourage them to explore. I tell them Cañon City is my adventure and they look at me like I've got a booger hanging out of my nose. Oh well, wisdom can be wasted on the young.
Here are some pics of a local bakery in Florence in which I love to sit and write. I once spent an entire morning/afternoon here and watched a man painting with water colors in the window, we struck up a conversation about his paintings and I left thinking: This is where I belong. Do you ever get that feeling? If you don't, move.

Enjoy the pics of this lovely bakery and feel fuzzy inside.