by Alexis -

Our new Krakow painting

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In May, when I attended Polish Language Lessons, we went out -as part of a class assignment- on a scavenger hunt. Best lesson ever. We were to only use Polish and find the answers to specific questions pertaining to places.

One particular place was a small free museum exhibiting a famous Polish poet. I have plans to do a whole post just on the place but it’s awesome and peaceful. (why are museums so relaxing?)

All that to say- they have a killer gift shop! Most everything I saw was super reasonable including this beauty!

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I’m so happy I have it and every time I look at it, it makes me smile. And those are the best kind of purchases. 🙂

 

by Alexis -

Strawberries with Ice Cream

 

 

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It’s strawberry season here in Krakow! You can find baskets heaping with these bright red berries all over town. They’re super sweet and not expensive- a win win. I bought a basket, brought it home and ended up staring at it not sure what to make. There’s the obvious chocolate dipped ones which of course we made, but what else can I make with them? So…I decided that I’ll make a compilation of strawberry recipes for myself, and you reader, to refer to.

I’d love to hear of your favorite recipes that include strawberries!

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This first one isn’t really a recipe. OK it’s not. But it screams summer- simple ingredients and fresh fruit. And it’s what happens when the kiddos have 10 min before bed time but want a dessert. They helped put it together which made it taste even sweeter for them. 🙂IMG_20150624_182726

*Bowls from Istanbul, Turkey

by Alexis -

Massolit Bakery and Cafe

Being an American here in Krakow my craving for an American pie was, I thought, cruel and pointless. However, I soon found out (thank you Google) that there was a cafe that had just opened specializing in American pies! What?! And just in time for my birthday!!! I must start off by admitting I’m a picky dessert eater. No chocolate, no candy bars, Not a big fan of cheesecake, no cake, no cupcakes or cake pops. No poppy seed (popular here), no chewy dried fruit that will get stuck in my teeth, no candy, no ice cream and no frosting. Please. I know, pretty crazy. But before you freak out I must convince you I do actually have a sweet tooth. I love pies! And lemon things, doughnuts, fruit cobblers/crisps, caramel, peanut butter things, pumpkin anything and milkshakes. See…sheesh.

And looking at Massolit’s Facebook page made me very excited to visit. Beautiful pictures with huge windows and a hip trendy vibe. I talked with the owner who sounded like he might be American. Super nice. Thankfully they also serve HOMEMADE bagels, incredible quiches, cakes and soup. Seriously, look at their Facebook page because they have better pictures than the one below. I’ll update it when I go again. 🙂

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When we went, they didn’t have a cherry pie made. My favorite- bummer. But they did have strawberry rhubarb. Yeah- aaaamazing. So we ordered a whole cherry pie for my birthday dessert and each of us had a slice of the rhubarb warmed up. (above picture) It wasn’t too sweet or tart. Just the way I Iove it. I will say though that once we got the cherry pie, it was incredibly sweet. As in too sweet for me to eat. I had a couple slices but probably won’t order it again. I am however excited to try out their pumpkin. (remember, all handmade without canned cherry filling or canned pumpkin. All pitted by hand or roasted in their ovens)

I will also say that I tried their broccoli quiche and it blew my socks off. Down to the crust. Oh man. So yeah, go and try them out. You’ll be happy you did. (below is their apple)

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by Alexis -

Day 11: something blue

I have decided to join some other bloggers to do a 30 day challenge. We are following a fun list of things to take a picture of every day for a month. It would be awesome to have you join in on the fun! Just let me know so I can follow ya. 🙂

Day 11: something blue

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This is a picture of my first visit to ANY IKEA! *happy day!*

It was in Krakow, Poland- how perfect is that?!

I had no idea what to expect and was blown away by the amount of stuff they have. All beautiful, but a little overwhelming too for a ‘first timer’

This is also THE IKEA we will be furnishing most of our new home with in Poland.

by Alexis -

Interpersonal Thoughts

God has recently shown me areas where I desperately need His help and especially His healing hand. In a sick way, I feel real and normal. I guess I can express it in some ways like this:

Change will always come and sit with me and what I need to decide is how to respond. I can resist, be hurt or I can grapple with what needs to change in me and forge ahead.

In regards to my healing, Ripping off a band aid always stings…and I hate it when it stick to the hair on my arms. Ouch. Yet sometimes, air needs to dry it out.

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These areas in myself are always in my thoughts and I struggle with either pulling them too close and drowning in my own self inflicted pain OR push them away and live in denial. Not a good thing either.  Many people at our church would call that a double bind. Damed if you do, damned if you don’t. Besides, having these areas of insecurity, hurt, ect. doesn’t allow me to give all of myself to the people God has called me to. The last thing I want to be is egocentric.  So, which is the better for me… and also others?…kinda an obvious answer. I think it’s time I rip off bandages that, as a young child, I have camouflaged as part of my skin. The reality is that my wounds are in fact infecting my body and hurting those closest to me.

I am also writing this to give me some  ‘umph’ to join a group we have at church. It’s called Tangled Relationships. I hope to enjoy it and have this help me in some well… relational areas. Duh. haha

I think this is why I so desire Spring. The time for new growth and breaking new ground.

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* If you don’t know me by now, you need to know I struggle with being way too compartmental. Had to say that before switching subjects so quickly from something deep and emotional for me to something seemingly shallow.

March 3rd was National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day. I LOVE peanut butter (thank goodness they have it in Krakow!! Woot woot!) and even though I didn’t celebrate it on it’s due day…I will be celebrating tomorrow. 🙂 By making tons of treats, PB&J for lunch also a Thai Peanut Chicken dish. 🙂 Pictures to follow, of course, and I also hope to draft a couple blogging friends to do it with me. We’ll see how it goes with such short notice.

Peace out my peeps!

by Alexis -

Last post before flying out

The dragon is a napkin holder…interesting and very artistic. The other picture is of a new scarf. Some last minute things before we leave. Pack everything. Harder than it sounds. Calling taxi’s, meeting with friends, playing with play dough with Emma, calling the landlord, etc.

Emma got a pair of shoes a couple days ago. We were getting back from WrocÅ‚aw and Emma was really fussy. We went through Galleria and decided to just have dinner there- food always makes Emma a happier person. It took forever for the food to arrive so Emma and I went to surrounding shops to distract Emma walk around. We entered a shoe shop and she went crazy! She was so excited to see colorful shoes that she immediately wanted to take her boots off and try some on. She kept holding up her feet and asking, ‘help, help?’ I was shocked, this was the first time she really showed her preference for shoes. So I bought the cheapest pair and she was beaming I tell you carrying her shoes to the counter. She couldn’t wait to show daddy too. They’re pretty cute if I do say so myself.

This is in one of the surrounding parks by the square. Trav took this and I think it’s absolutely beautiful.

We are leaving at 5am tomorrow morning and will first be flying to Warsaw-stay there 5 hours (oh yuck) then flying to Chicago (9 hours-not bad) then to Portland. *sigh It will be a long day. Would appreciate your prayers.

by Alexis -

We went out today

We went out today and it was cold. We went to the old Jewish district in Krakow. It is in Schindler’s List and unfortunately the massacre did really happen there.  The buildings are beautiful and even though you begin to stop feeling your legs, hands and nose it really takes your breath away. The beauty, not the low temps. (but I’m such a weeny. really.)

Taadaaa! Here we are freezing our tushes off.

We were waiting for the light rail. Yes it was cold, but it is during these times that I thank God that Emma is like Travis. She seems to always be warmer than me so I don’t have to worry too much. What can I say, I’m always the extreme. Our flat is just down the street to the left, about 200 meters. We are so lucky to be near a tram stop. Most people are bundled just like me. However they’re hats and scarfs all match. I even saw girls in SHORTS with dark tights on. Yes, in like 3’F weather. Bold and daring. Me, not so much. Pants all the way, and I won’t mention the fleece pants I’m wearing right now. (Oh so attractive ;)- not) Peace out peeps!

by Alexis -

Really quick

OK, really quick before Emma freaks out in Trav’s lap and screams bloody murder. That’s just what we would need…

It’s been snowing here all day, but the light dry kind. It’s cold here too. 18’F We’re bumddled up though and once you get used to the cold it’s not so bad. You just learn to love snuggies. 🙂 (Brandon where is mine you promised me for Christmas!?)

We used the WIFI here to look at some possible flats here for rent. There are a couple that are really nice. Emma though is not doing well and her time is just about up. We’ve bribed stuffed her with french fries and soft serve ice cream from McDonalds. The rhythm of our daily schedule is showing us how much slower things will be like for us here. It will definatly be an adjustment. But it is good and insightful. I have a new found respect for Kerstin, The Balons, Robyn and Katie.

We’re having a couple come up from Nowy Targ with their daughter to stay with us for a night. It should be nice. I think we’ll see some of the city with them, then have a nice quiet WARM night.

Well, I think that’s it for now. If you have any questions just ask. I promise we will post more when we move here. It really sucks being out of the loop of the world for days on end. We just found out about the earthquakes in Haiti. What the heck?! It’s horrible. Anyhoo, I’m also dying inside because I can’t post any pictures. I wish I could…but when we live here we’ll be able to. Promise. OK, that’s all. Peace out my peeps. 🙂

by Alexis -

Our time here in Krakow

We are feeling less like visitors staying in someone’s home and beginning to see what it will be like for us to live here. It is exciting and a little nervous. We’re using our polish as much as we can though, and speaking it a lot more in our home. It’s growing my courage enough to order cheese from the grocery lady by myself. A lot of giggling and pointing on my part and smiles on hers; so gracious. People here are SO nice and are patient with us. I’m noticing that I speak a lot quieter when I’m unsure if I’m saying the right thing and what I need to do is just boldly speak it out. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow. We’re staying in a little comfortable flat that is 50 sq. meters. I could get used to living in a smaller place, it’s just nicer, cozier…who said bigger is better?! For diner I made one of Travis’ favorite Polish soups. Zurek, a salty soup that has sausage and hard boiled eggs. We had it with grilled cheese (gouda) sandwiches. Yummy, and great on a cold day. We already had pirogi on the first day (my favorite). I know a lot of you told me to take pictures of the foods here and I promise to start- tomorrow.

As we landed at the airport, we saw snow everywhere. It’s so beautiful and not too cold, although today there was a wind and nobody likes that. I dressed Emma up like an abominable snowman, er I mean snow baby. Some observations: When a faster person is walking behind someone who is slower, the slow person stands to the side and lets the fast person pass. Common courtesy. Not too common in Gresham, it’s nice. In the grocery stores (I’m buying all our food and am enjoying it!) There are no shortages of packets. They like their packets of soup, mixes, spices, marinades and everything else you could want. It’s incredible and I always smile when I pass the walls of packets. They do have peanut butter (a favorite of mine) but it’s a little expensive. I’m sitting at a mall with free wifi but it won’t allow uploads…horrible! I took pictures of the flat and I guess you’ll see them later. We’ll find a place that allows it-I hope.

The kitchen is nice, and I’m realizing that I don’t really need a dishwasher. It’s not a hassle for me to hand wash everything, but I’ve only been here for a short while- we’ll see. I am dependant on ovens though. While ‘living’ here it will prove to be a challenge to cook everything on a stovetop. But, as Travis says, I like that challenge and it hasn’t proven to be an obstacle yet. Emma is L-O-V-I-N-G all the time and attention from daddy. I could get used to him not working and staying with us all day…well maybe. 😉 I must say that my butt is being kicked by jet lag. Man, I want to pass out around 10am and then 3pm…I took naps with Emma today and it saved my life. Literally people. I’m frustrated by the lack of wifi. I would be posting everyday if I could. Sorry about that. We’re meeting with a missionary tomorrow at a coffee shop Coffee Heaven (which is far better than any Starbucks). We’ll be visiting friends in a nearby town from Friday to Saturday. They have a little girl and I know Emma and Esterka will love each other.

***On the flight over, Emma slept and didn’t yell once. She showed all those people who gave us the evil eye, as we boarded, that they were wrong. Hah, so there. (tongue sticking out) I was praying like nuts that she would do fine. The flight from Chicago to Krakow was 9 hrs 30 min. She is getting used to the time change, and I think she’ll be fine in a couple days. OK, people, time to go to bed- it’s 9:30 and Trav is a walking zombie, Emma is stalling with her toy laptop (what a savior mom!) and I’m finishing this. Dowidenzia!