Gold Mining in Dahlonga, Georgia

Yesterday, we took the boys to go Gold Mining in Dahlonga. Dahlonga is where the Gold Rush began in 1828. At that time, you could just kick a few rocks around in the creeks and you found gold. Eventually, the real mining began. The consolidated mines are approximately 5 miles long and go about 750 feet under ground though we were only allowed to go 350 feet. It is the large gold mine east of the Mississippi and at one time they found a vein of gold that was 22 feet wide. We even saw a handful of bats inside the caves. The boys tried mining for gold, and for gems. While they found no gold, they did find some Quartz, Amethyst, and a few other types of rocks. The boys had fun! Winston wanted to come home and mine the creek behind our house. Afterwards, we walked around the town square of Dahlonga which is charming. We stopped at Connie's Deli for ice cream and sandwiches. Yummy!

Lake Lanier Magical Night of Lights

The other night I drove up to Lake Lanier with the boys and my mom to see the Magical Night of Lights. It was the first time that we had gone in the 6 1/2 years of living here. The boys loved it! I was surprised that Roman went on Santa's lap. At first he was not so sure about the whole thing. The boys had fun roasting marshmellows over the open fire pit and before we left they went on two carnival rides. I am so glad that I can turn on the holiday music and bring out my decorations today.

Turkey Day!

Yesterday, we spent Thanksgiving at the home of our friends Tony and Monica. There were 36 of us in all. It was so much fun! Amazingly, the children were angels and no tears were shed.
The food was fantastic! We were definitely not for want. Besides turkey there was ham,
prime Rib, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, rolls, stuffing,
salad, dips, along with a variety of dessert such a pumpkin pie, pumpkin ice cream, cheesecake, and pecan pie. See what I mean? Today we are going to go see Planet 51. Hope you had a fantastic Thanksgiving?

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

As I am writing, my children are sitting on the floor putting together a puzzel as they watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade. I have watched the parade since I was a child. I love the balloons, bands, and all the performances. This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the health of my family, that my husband has a job, family, friends, opportunities to travel and learn about other cultures, and my testimony in my saviour Jesus Christ.

Cranberry Salad

2 cups cranberries then chop

3/4 cups powder sugar

1/2 cup red halved grapes

2 cups diced apple

1 cup chopped pecans

3 cups mini marshmellows

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 1/2 cups of whipping cream

Whip cream and add powdered sugar . Add apples, grapes, pecans, and marshmellows. Make the night before or first thing in the morning. This recipe was adapted from my good friend Kierste who made this many years ago at our house in Michigan one Thanksgiving.

Corner view Le Menu

This weeks corner view was titled Le Menu what would you find on a typical menu in your city. Well, I live in America. The land of plenty and that also means unfortunately plenty of fast food restaurants. There are so many fast food restaurants in the average U.S. town that I am most positive you could probably go a couple of months eating out every night and not eat at the same restaurant twice. The good side of so many restaurants is that you have lots of variety the bad side is that with these fast food chains it is almost impossible for independent restaurants to operate. The other bad side is that Americans are growing fatter by the day. I am not immune to this side effect either. I try to stay away from fast food as much as possible. I am getting smarter though on what I pick on the menu's and looking for healthier options. One place I like to eat eat is called Panera Bread it features European style breads and pastries along with soup, sandwiches, and salads. My favorite is the Fuji Apple Chicken Salad a bed of mix greens dressed with roasted rosemary chicken, pecans, apple chips, blue cheese crumbles,tomatoes, with a white balsamic vinigerette. Another place I like to go is a place called Chipolte. What I like about this fast food restaurant is that the food is organic. The flavors are clean and simple. The product is fresh and while there are only 4 options the calories aren't going to set you back.

Pilgrims Hats

Thanksgiving is only 2 days away and what a fun way to prepare for Thanksgiving than to make these pilgrim hats. Great for all those children who do not like pie and easy to assemble. It is OK if they are a little imperfect looking because the fun is in making them. For this project you will need either sugar cookie dough or you can use ginger snaps, Reese's peanut buttercups, white frosting, and yellow frosting. The trickto making these look more authentic looking "which mine do not" is to make sure you use a smaller size ball of dough. Instead of using a tablespoon make sure you use a teaspoon that way the peanut buttercup is more proportionate to the cookie, but you will not have this problem if you choose to use Gingersnaps because they are allready the right size.

New Love

I am in love with Chobani Greek Yogurt. It is so rich and creamy. In fact, it has renewed my love for yogurt. Sprinkled with a little granola it is the perfect breakfast, snack, or even dessert. Who needs ice cream when you have this yummy stuff in the refrigerator. I was scared to taste it at first because I thought it might be sour, but now I am so glad I tried it. It never hurts to try new things. The best part is that this yogurt has 20 grams of protein. No fat and only a 140 calories per oz serving. Have you tried this yogurt yet?

Blind Side Movie Review

Blindside is a perfect way to begin the holiday season. It is more than a football movie, but it is a movie that will warm your heart and leaving you wondering if you are doing everything you can to leave this world a better place. This is a true story about Michael Ohr a 2009 draft pick for the NFL. A boy who was left to defend himself in the world and passed by in the system, but it nurtured and taken care of by Leanne Toohey and her family as they decide that they can't pass him by. This was a perfect role for Sandra Bullock and the little boy in the film is a totally crack up. I would not wait to see this movie I would run to your nearest movie theater. It was well worth the admission price.

Book Club

I love book club! It keeps me sane. I love reading and if there wasn't book club I would still read, but I love talking about books and hearing what others thought about the book. I gain so much more insight into the book this way. It also doesn't hurt that I get to gather with my friends and eat treats too. This month we read the book The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I amazed that this was her first book. It was fantastic! The book is fictional, but at times you almost think that these were real characters. The book takes place in the early 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi. Skeeter who is the main character is an aspiring journalist she is challenged to write something with more depth after submitting her work to a publisher in New York. She decides to write on the relationship between the white and blacks from the perspective of the black housekeepers. I couldn't put this book down. It is so well written and I fell in love with all of the characters. This is a must read.

New Moon!

Last night, I went to the midnight opening of New Moon with a group of friends. It was so much fun. It was fun to listen to all the teenage girls ooh and awe over their favorite characters. I wasn't really impressed by the first movie, but the second one was much better. I can't wait for the third movie to come out in June, but I don't know if I will go to the midnight showing of it again. My children are just not late sleepers and so it was very painful waking up this morning after only three hours asleep. Now, I need to hit the pillow and get some sleep.

Corner View cell phones

OK, so I am a little lame!!! I didn't get my corner view done this week because I was doing a little bit of playing elf this week getting ready for the holiday season. Sorry! Just way too much going on with the boys Thanksgiving programs at school, trying to find gloves and ski pants for our ski trip in three weeks, the orthodontist, book club, Boy Scouts and Karate this week. On top of that I haven't really figured out how to use the new cell phone I got, so I haven't gotten any calls. However, I will report minus the Christmas cards I am ready for the holidays to begin next week, so bring them on. Now if my sons hair would just grow a little faster then I might get the cards finished too!

Be Grateful!

I could be upset that I washed my cell phone and the new one isn't as easy to use as my old one along with that I lost all my phone numbers. I could be upset that I got a ticket for a law that I didn't even know existed. I could be upset that when I took my son to get a haircut the lady didn't understand and cut it too short, and now it is sticking up in every direction. However, I think I will just be grateful. Grateful that I have a cell phone. Grateful that the ticket wasn't because I injured someone. Grateful that hair grows. I am also Grateful that my children will be able to participate in the Can A Thon that provides food to the food bank, and grateful for the teaching moment that will be given to my children to share with those who are less fortunate. What are you grateful for?

Besuch

Yesterday, My husband colleague's and old time friends came to visit us from Germany. It was so much fun catching up on their lives. The hard part about living on the other side of the Atlantic is that my husband only gets to see his friends every couple of years. We took them to a local BBQ restaurant called One Star Ranch. It is the best BBQ here in Atlanta! The meat is slow smoked leaving the meat tender and not fatty. The side dishes are fantastic too! We ended the night with Peach Cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. BTW, it is 78 degree here in Atlanta. This is why I love Atlanta.

One Star Ranch
25 Irby Ave. NW
Atlanta, GA. 30305
404-233-7644

Also located in Alpharetta, GA. 732 North Main Street. 770-475-6695

Herr Cassel

Frau Michalski

Baby back ribs

Happy Birthday Mason!

It has been three weeks since Mason passed away. He would have been 11 yesterday, so in his memory his friend,and family met at a local party to release balloons in his honor. He was a great kid! Let's remember to tell those we love that we love. Happy Birthday Mason!

Fritti and Baraonda

We don't go out to eat much, but with my friend in town last week I took the opportunity to splurge a little. Fritti is a fantastic Italian restaurant located in Ulman Park. The pizza I would have to argue rivals any New York Pizza or even Italy. The crust is thin and crunchy. The sauce is light in that it is not seasoned with a ton of oregano. However, that night I choose Pizza Bianco. The Vegetarian is fantastic too! Ever had an Arancini? These little risotto stuffed with sausage balls are ever so yummy. We also went to Baronda the last night she was here. I have wanted to try this restaurant for years based on a recommendation from some friends of mine who are from Italy. While we shared a Caprese Salad, I had the Penne Salciccia (sweet and hot sausage with mushrooms and a touch of cream), and Jennifer had the Pollo Damicuta which is a lightly eggs washed chicken breast dipped in Parmigano served with mixed vegetables and a light lemon caper sauce. The food was heaven! It made me feel like I had taken a trip to Italy. The decor in both restaurants is warm and modern. Looking for some place new to try then try these restaurants because you will not be disappointed.

Fritti
309 Highland Ave.
Atlanta, GA. 30307
404 880-9559

Baraonda Cafe Italiano
710 Peachtree Street
Atlanta, GA. 30308
404-879-9962

Winston loved the Pizza

Pizza Bianco with Spinach and Arancini