tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690Wed, 06 Aug 2025 06:35:17 +0000lifekidsrecipesfamilyFamily VacationsHolidayGermanyvacationchildrenparentingactivitiescloth diapersMoving OverseaspregnancytipstoddlersChristmaspreschoolersfoodcruisehomeschoolingnutritionthings to do in GermanytravelBaltic CruiseTraditions in Germanylaundryreviewtraveling with a babyBabygluten-freesleepBook ReviewsEasterGerman Christmas MarketsGiveawayLufthansaNew Yearsblogger websitedessertmoneypackingparkspilot strikeChildhood illnessGerman mealsHalloweenMediterranean cruisePUPPPanimalsbreakfastgameshotelmiscarriagepierestroomstraditionsvegetarianBaby CarriersBaby Item RecallCasting CallChristmas TreeItalyPragueRoad ConstructionSpainTVThree Day FeverValentine's Dayblueberry piecell phoneschickendogseducationfamily marriageflowersjoblandlordsmilknut milkpartiespastapie crustspie shellsrecycling in Germanyschoolshoppingslow cookerwalnut milkLife in Germany and the U.S.http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Unknown)Blogger215125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-5153275299871642570Tue, 23 Apr 2013 21:08:00 +00002016-01-20T04:38:35.607+01:00Hi Everyone, Thank you so much for being a part of my life.  Since the name expat no longer applies to my life, I'm going to continue sharing my life at my new blog http://myfruitfullife1.blogspot.com/.  Please join me there. I'd love to hear from you. You can also follow my new blog on Facebook.  https://www.facebook.com/MyFruitfulLife Marisahttp://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-blog.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-3672178591836180301Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:30:00 +00002016-03-29T22:16:19.593+02:00activitiesEasterHolidaykidstraditions I love holidays and I love family traditions.  I think having traditions to go along with holidays helps build nice memories for children. Easter is such a sad yet joyful holiday.  Sad because Jesus died but joyful because he died and rose from the dead for mankind!  We try and emphasize the Christian reason for holidays but we also let Blue Rock enjoy some of our http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-egg-school-lunch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-6611340585246714076Thu, 14 Mar 2013 13:08:00 +00002013-12-11T15:39:58.269+01:00lifepregnancy Last December was a very difficult month for me.  I experienced my 4th miscarriage.  Like every miscarriage I have had, it was hard.  However, for some reason this one really made me mad.  I became angry at God for allowing me to get pregnant, again, only to lose the baby and never see his or her sweet face.  This also brought back anger that God allowed my mother to http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/last-december.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-753640443202398066Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:20:00 +00002013-03-14T01:20:00.717+01:00recipes One of my sweet friends gave me an Amish Friendship Bread starter. I'm going to change the name to Amish Friendship Prayer Bread because everyday when I mix the dough I say a prayer for my friend and her family. One purpose of friendship bread I think is to share delicious homemade bread with others. It takes 10 days from the day you get the starter until you can bake it. From each starter http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2013/03/amish-friendship-bread-recipe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-6868253896112202854Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:42:00 +00002013-12-11T15:40:38.727+01:00childrenlifepregnancy A dear friend of mine and I were talking last week.  She asked if we were going to try to have anymore kids.  I told her I wasn't sure and that maybe God only wants me to have one.  She said, "but you're such a good mom!"  I looked at her and thought about it and replied, "I don't think being a good mom has anything to do with how many children you have."  I know my http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/having-only-child.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-1524841855464119991Sun, 06 Jan 2013 20:53:00 +00002013-01-06T21:57:34.069+01:00breakfastrecipes Slow Cooked Cinnamon Balls My family loves donuts but rarely eats them.  I was excited when I saw this recipe.  A few weeks ago I signed up for Grocery Shrink and for the past two weeks have enjoyed lots of yummy recipes.  I made these last night and we ate them this morning.  They were so delicious and super easy to make!  I prepared the dough last night and put it http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/slow-cooked-whole-grain-cinnamon-donuts.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-5899366754443288637Tue, 01 Jan 2013 20:19:00 +00002013-01-01T21:26:12.546+01:00 Overall 2012 was a pretty good year. We have had a LOT of changes! A HUGE move overseas, new house, new car, several sad losses, etc., etc., etc. Goodbye 2012! May 2013 be a wonderful year for you and your family! Here is 2012 at a glance. January: We celebrated 8 years of marriage. We lived in a hotel for several weeks before moving from Germany at the end of the month. My http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2013/01/looking-back-at-2012.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-6368126083397784884Wed, 12 Dec 2012 22:45:00 +00002012-12-12T23:45:14.228+01:00 I was browsing the internet the other night for ideas to hold Christmas cards.  I saw a triangle with elastic and thought it looked cute.  Given that I don't have any sewing abilities and could not find my hot glue gun, I decided to create something similar using good old fashion duct tape. I took a box from Amazon. Cut it into a Christmas tree shape Used duct tape to http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-tree-christmas-card-holder.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-8208808808095101060Sat, 08 Dec 2012 15:09:00 +00002013-12-11T15:40:54.549+01:00lifepregnancy Matthew 19:26: Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” I am pregnant.  I am now 9 weeks along.  As you can see from the picture above, taken this past week, my baby is continuing to grow next to the placenta.  The placenta is the circle and the bean is my baby.  For those of you that know me, I am high risk.&http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/prayer-request.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-6653220732981615147Sat, 01 Dec 2012 15:35:00 +00002012-12-01T16:41:09.494+01:00ChristmasHolidaykidstraditions We are starting a new tradition this year.  As part of Advent we are going to read Christmas books everyday as we count down to Christmas.  I think I first saw this idea on Pinterest.  Since we are Christians, we want to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas, Christ's birth.  As far as Santa Claus goes, I think knowing about St. Nick is great and carrying on his http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-book-tradition.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-8804183921179782888Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:40:00 +00002012-11-12T22:40:40.838+01:00recipesreview The night I bought my new Breville Stand Mixer, I made some whole wheat chocolate chip cookies with Blue Rock.  I wanted to see how easy it was to make them.  I had never used my mixer before so I was learning as I was going.  The mixer was great!  It was easy to use and handled the mixing very well, even when Blue Rock turned it to the highest speed.  You can see how http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/whole-wheat-chocolate-chip-cookie.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-5927284887158630417Mon, 12 Nov 2012 21:34:00 +00002012-11-12T22:48:04.281+01:00recipesreview I bought my first awesome stand mixer!  Well, my husband bought it for me for an early Christmas present! Like I said in a previous post, I had a cheap stand mixer in Germany but it was not very good.  I know it would never have been able to mix dough, for example.  After lots and lots of research I decided to buy the Breville Scraper Mixer Pro 5-Quart Die-Cast Stand Mixer.  http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/my-new-mixer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-5370057730731874234Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:45:00 +00002012-11-08T16:45:38.519+01:00activitiesfamilykids Last Saturday we decided to take a day trip to the country.  I have really missed seeing farms in Germany and the cheese from Europe, especially The Netherlands.  Europeans usually make their cheese fresh, using only the freshest ingredients, including raw milk from grass fed cows and goats.  So I was looking online to see if I could order some delicious cheese from somewhere and http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/trip-to-cheese-farm-soda-factory-and.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-2615631765668159916Tue, 06 Nov 2012 15:13:00 +00002012-11-12T22:41:05.937+01:00recipesreview In Germany I bought my first stand mixer.  It was an inexpensive German brand 220v.  I got a lot of great use out of it and had no problem selling it before we moved back.  Now I am looking for a really good stand mixer that will hopefully last for a number of years for my life in the States.  I had always thought I would get a KitchenAid stand mixer.  However, it seemshttp://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/kitchen-stand-mixer-advice.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-8920187189084048625Sun, 04 Nov 2012 02:44:00 +00002012-11-04T03:44:49.551+01:00lifeMoving Overseas We have been back in the States for about 9 months now.  They say when you move overseas it takes about 6 months to adjust, sometimes it can take up to a year.  I believe that is true whether you are moving to a foreign country or moving back to your own.  Things change when you're gone, people change.  For better or worse, relationships change.    When we http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/adjusting-to-life-in-states.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-3280910879507760859Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:15:00 +00002012-10-29T18:30:54.538+01:00gluten-freeHalloweenHolidaykidspartiesrecipes Even though Halloween is not one of my favorite holidays, I enjoy the parties and seeing people (especially kids) dressed up.  We have been enjoying several Halloween parties this year and I'm constantly thinking of healthy and gluten-free foods to take that actually taste good and kids will eat.  This year I found three and added a little Halloween creepiness to some of them.  http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/gluten-free-healthy-halloween-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-1125151953994320110Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:06:00 +00002012-10-29T18:06:51.729+01:00gluten-freeHalloweenHolidaykidsrecipes Spooky Apple Teeth I think I got this idea from Pintrest.  I'm always thinking of healthy things to take to parties. I made these for a Halloween party and the kids loved them. These are easy to make.   I used organic apples, organic apple butter, and different nuts for the teeth.  I used almonds, walnuts, and pistachios.  Pistachios seemed to be the easiest. http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/spooky-apple-teeth.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-5172154688607213992Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:49:00 +00002012-10-29T17:49:02.836+01:00gluten-freeHolidayrecipes Creepy Spinach and Artichoke Finger Dip I made this delicious dip for a Halloween party.  This is the Vitamix's Spinach and Artichoke Dip and came from here. As I was trying to think of ways to make it creepier I added some sliced carrots with almond slivers on top for finger nails.  This dip is yummy!  I plan on making this again for Christmas but without the fingers. If http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/creepy-spinach-and-artichoke-finger-dip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-7224451183896370101Mon, 29 Oct 2012 16:41:00 +00002012-10-29T17:41:15.862+01:00gluten-freeHolidayrecipes Pumpkin Almond Butter Brownies These are really good!  I got this recipe from This Primal Life. I made these for a Halloween party and when Blue Rock asked for dessert I gave him one of these brownies. They are really prefect for any party and are a nice healthier alternative to some of the real sugary desserts.  They are also gluten free!  Primal Pumpkin Almond Butter Brownieshttp://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/primal-pumpkin-almond-butter-brownies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-7326750529223249456Thu, 25 Oct 2012 20:26:00 +00002012-10-25T22:26:40.557+02:00familyHolidaykids October is the time to visit a pumpkin patch.  Sadly, it hardly feels like Fall in Texas since we've still been having 80 degree weather.  But that doesn't stop me from wanting to start and continue family traditions. Since we live in the city we would have to drive a ways to visit a real pumpkin patch. Thanks to one of my friends, I found out there is a pumpkin patch in town that is http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/city-pumpkin-patch.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-5279824259660567446Thu, 25 Oct 2012 01:31:00 +00002012-10-25T03:35:50.614+02:00pastarecipes Green Cauliflower Macaroni and Cheese In my quest for eating more real foods, I've been trying to think of recipes that are colorful, tasty, interesting looking, and healthy.  Since it's almost Halloween, I decided to make something would interest my 3-year old.  My family does not eat a lot of cauliflower nor do we eat a lot of Marconi and Cheese.  In fact, Blue Rock does not http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/green-cauliflower-macaroni-and-cheese.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-8377774911845001579Tue, 23 Oct 2012 02:33:00 +00002012-10-23T04:33:47.611+02:00 GF Oatmeal Cookies It seems like when the temperature drops I want to stay in my kitchen and bake.  I'm on my way to no longer eating gluten.  Therefore, I've been trying to find good recipes that are gluten free.  I adapted this recipe from the back of the Trader Joe's gluten free oats.  It makes about 4 dozen cookies, so there is plenty to share! Gluten Free Oatmeal http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/gluten-free-oatmeal-cookies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-4369047234437056038Fri, 12 Oct 2012 19:48:00 +00002012-10-12T21:48:54.782+02:00activitieschildrenhomeschoolingpreschoolers It's been a while since I've posted some activities I do with my 3-year old.  Blue Rock is not really into coloring with crayons like some kids are.  This wouldn't matter too much except that I like him to practice holding a pencil the correct way and build his fingers for future writing.  Thankfully, there are a number of activities that don't involve crayons to achieve this. http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/10/pre-writing-activities-that-do-not.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-3045703186559283727Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:42:00 +00002012-09-30T22:42:08.654+02:00breakfastrecipes 15 Burritos Ready to Freeze For the past 7 years or so my husband has wanted me to make and freeze breakfast burritos.  When we were in Germany our freezer was too small to make and freeze anything.  Now that we're back in the States we have a little more freezer space.   These sausage and egg burritos were easy to make.  I plan on making them again.  My http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/freezer-burritos.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8273939700047777690.post-3858199124732483215Sun, 30 Sep 2012 20:22:00 +00002012-09-30T22:22:39.892+02:00blueberry piedessertpierecipes Organic Blueberry Pie Now that Autumn is upon us, I have been in the mood to bake.  I love Blueberries and have always wanted to try Blueberry Pie.  Given the health benefits of blueberries, I figured a blueberry pie would be healthier than say a chocolate pie...just don't talk about the sugar in it.  Anyway, I have to say that Blueberry Pie is delicious!  Another benefit http://ladyexpatblog.blogspot.com/2012/09/blueberry-pie-recipe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Unknown)0