Halloween

We celebrated our first Halloween back in the States with the zombie apocalypse.  The kids made their own attire.  Face paint and hairspray did the rest. Our busy neighborhood with hundreds of pirates, heros, princesses, and TV charecters contrasted the last three years of just a few costumed kids and many non-dressed-up Germans.  Jennifer, Jason, and our friend Heather joined our crew.

Jaden won the most unique costume.

The kids returned with plenty of treats.

Sauce Intensive

I spent Friday at L'Acadamie de Cuisine learning about sauces with Bonnie Miller.  I learned how to make and modify some of the basic mother sauces.  She demonstrated and then we made them.

I learned how to prepare hollandaise

  cream sauce

salsa

pesto

and a demi glace

She also showed us how to plate and combine the sauces.

Soccer

We spent our Saturdays this fall on the soccer field - a big change from the leisurely bike rides downtown to the Konstablerwache market.  Dave coached Owen's team and assisted with Emily's team.  I neglected to bring my camera to the games hence I lack many pictures of Owen's experiences.

I did capture Emily's last game.

Cooking Classes

I enrolled in a 12 week cooking class in Bethesda.  I am learning key techniques centered around themes.  My goal is to mostly cook without a recipe.


So far, we covered

Seafood

Eggs

Pasta

Vegetables

Staycation: Day 2 Rosa's Luxury

In the morning, the kids and I went with Anne and Lucy to the art fair in Del Ray.  Emily asked, "Can I get a Bratwurst?"

Dave and I spent the afternoon camped in front of Rose's Luxury, Gourmet magazine's number one new restaurant in the US.  The experience mainly costs time since the menu is reasonably priced and they don't take reservations.  We arrived two hours early and still felt uncertain we would secure a seat. Beautiful fall weather and an interesting scene at the adjacent bar pushed time along.  Next time we eat there, I will bring wine, silo cups, and tailgate chairs.

Staycation: Day 1 Georgetown

Dave and I planned months ago to attend my Aunt's wedding in New Jersey and then spend two nights in Manhattan, but Emily's hacking cough forced us to cancel the getaway. Since my in-laws still wanted to spend time with the kids, Dave and I organized a few DC activities.

We participated in a Georgetown food tour on Friday afternoon.  Knowing this experience would be unlike the gourmet farm-to-table-isk tours we did in Europe, I anticipated an interesting historical overview with a few appetizers along the way.

We started the tour in "lower" Georgetown where we learned the city is named for its two founders, George and George, not for the presiding King.  We walked by the oldest remaining building in the area, dating from the 1700s and stopped in J. Pauls for their renowned crab cake sandwich.

We made our way to upper Georgetown where learned why the homes are long and skinny (taxes) and why the Kennedy's moved out (affairs).  We enjoyed a few more small plates and local stories before racing to our car to avoid a downpour.