Just Another Recap

My procrastination has caught up with me as I struggle with my holiday gift making; hence, the lack of updates. My apologies!!!

Some recent highlights:

1) We found a Home Depot. It is called Obi and it looks and feels just like a Home Depot with the exception of a fabric department. You can buy bolts of fabric there...hmmmm! I wonder if they offer alternative dress-making tools??? I now remember how much I like wandering through Home Depot! I did manage to persuade Craig we really didn't need the life-size Polish singing Santa Claus!! I think we heard the same song at least four times. Not a catchy tune so not humming it in the shower!!

2) I found a boarding kennel for Oliver!!! It is called Hotel dla Zwierzat Pupil. Believe it or not Oliver will be able to choose his own room when we take him there! It has "apartments" for every pet. They are furnished with adult furniture - including some with bureaus!! A common play area is located in the center of the hotel. I think I want to open a pet hotel when I return to the U.S. Check out the website at: www.hotel-pupil.pl. It is in Polish so if you want to look at the pictures open Galeria zdjec and then click on Pokoje ala psow. My personal favorite is the red, leather room!!!

3) Now that we have a pet hotel (which, by the way, is a universal term for boarding kennels here) we plan on taking advantage and get away for more weekends. We plan to drive to Krakow this weekend to celebrate our birthdays a week early. We thought about taking a train to Prague but it was a 10 hour train ride and we could drive to Prague in about 4-5 hours. We decided to break in the atlas of Poland and spend the weekend in Krakow before venturing outside the country. Krakow was basically untouched by the war so it is supposed to be incredibly beautiful. Auschwitz is on the way to Krakow. I don't plan on stopping there this trip but will make sure I get there before we return to the states. I understand it is absolutely gripping.

4) Ahhhh....Mexican food. We decided to try Mexican food Saturday night. The margaritas were great but the food not quite what you would call authentic! I was surprised to find two green beans in the middle of my burrito and Craig had two pieces of broccoli in his chimichanga. They must have thought we needed another serving of vegetables or something. The food was good but definitely not Mexican by any stretch. I'm guessing Mexican spices might be a tough sell here!! I don't think mashed potatoes or pierogies would be too tasty with peppers!!

5) I'm in the process of menu planning for the traditional Polish Christmas dinner we will be sharing with Craig's family. It is 13 courses and typically meatless. I may have to break down on the meatless and will definitely not attempt beet soup (I tried it and doubt I want to subject anyone's family to it)! I've found some great recipes I am anxious to try. I promise to have some pizza for Chris and anyone else not up for sauerkraut soup!!

I've added a couple of pictures from our walk yesterday. Enjoy!