It has been raining here almost daily for the past few weeks, preventing us from fully enjoying the autumn colors as intended. Typically, I capture photos of the girls playing with fallen leaves, but this year, they’re all wet and stinky, making outdoor play impossible.
As a result, the trees are shedding their leaves, and I feel a sense of loss for not having immersed myself in the beauty of the changing colors. I cherish autumn for its vibrant hues—Becca always remarks on how the leaves display my favorite colors: red, yellow, and orange. They are truly a sight to behold against a clear blue sky, illuminated by the sun.
Although there have been occasional pockets of sun and dry days, such as during the girls’ Lichterfest (Light Festival) at school, the persistent rain has been a dampener on our plans. Luckily, the weather held up for the festival, allowing the girls to showcase the lanterns they crafted, with Becca ingeniously using a recycled water bottle while Sarah was equipped with a store-bought. The kids sang songs in three languages (English, German, and French) and their performance was a success, brightening up the gloomy weather.
The excitement lingered even after the event, as we enjoyed tea and cookies prepared by the school and the parent association. The kids were reluctant to leave, but the lights dimmed at 7 pm, signaling that it was time to head home.
As the holiday season approaches, my weekends are filling up quickly until Christmas break. Despite the busyness, I am feeling a bit stressed and yearning for some quiet time. I plan to prioritize that during the period between Christmas and New Year.
This year, we decided to set up our Christmas tree earlier than usual. Traditionally, we wait until the first weekend of December, but since we’ll be in Germany from Christmas to New Year, we opted to enjoy our decorations for a more extended period.
A delightful tradition I’ve started is using Christmas market mugs during the holiday season. Over the years, I’ve accumulated several from past markets, and each family member selects one for hot chocolates (the girls) and coffee (Tobi and me). It brings me joy to use my chosen mug for the year.
With the bustling holiday schedule, I’m thankful for having some freezer meals on standby, like this embutido recipe. Although I didn’t grow up eating it, I discovered it in Luxembourg and introduced it to my daughters. Becca enjoys it, while Sarah’s opinion depends on her mood. The addition of raisins, a preference for my girls, is optional.
Embutido Recipe
Special equipment needed: steamer
Ingredients:
500g ground pork*
1 shallot or small onion
2 garlic cloves
Half red bell pepper
1 large carrot
¼ cup pickle relish
1 large egg
½ cup bread crumbs
2 tbsp ketchup
1 tbsp sugar
½ cup grated cheddar cheese (optional)*
½ cup raisins (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. If you have a food processor, peel the shallot/onion and garlic cloves, chop the bell pepper and carrot, and process until fine. Otherwise, mince them.
2. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, mixing well with your hands.
3. Prepare 4 pieces of aluminum foil (roughly 15 inches long). Divide the meat mixture into four, roll into a log along the long side of the foil, and twist the edges to tighten.
4. Place in a steamer and steam for 45 minutes to 1 hour (checking the internal temperature is at least 72°C), then set aside to cool. You can freeze some for up to 3 months.
5. Slice, fry, and serve. *Note: I use a ground pork and beef mix; you can use ground chicken or turkey if preferred. I do not include hard-boiled eggs and sausages in my recipe. I also sometimes sneak in grated cheese, Sneak, being the operative word, as my girls do not like cheese.*
