Stone Ground Wheat

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We had a lovely trip about 30 minutes north of Portland to Cedar Creek Grist Mill to get some fresh stone ground flour. I like to make our bread because we love bread and could eat a fresh loaf almost every day. I wanted to make sure that we had the best flour because bread could be so healthy if you don’t eat the kind that has all the vitamins taken out of it. So Fred the miller ground us some Cornmeal, and some Red Turkey Wheat (or Russian Red—see photo for explanation). Fred said that we could come back whenever we want and he will ground us whatever we want! So, come on over and have some fresh bread, it is delicious!

Aleksei's first day at Russian School

Sorry!!! Romka told me that I had the wrong link!! Now it should work for you.

Aleksei's first Russian School

Ft. Vancouver and the Apples

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Right across the Columbia River--which is about 5 miles north of where we rest our heads--sits Fort Vancouver. It was established in 1825, basically as a post to trade goods for furs. The European market coveted the soft underhair of beaver fur, which made the finest durable men's hats. So popular were these hats by the early seventeenth century, they became family heirlooms passed intergenerationally. We visited Ft. Vancouver on a candlelight tour while they were reenacting life in 1846. The characters acted their parts, and we were like ghosts in their time, seeing the wonderful life such fortunate people had living at the Fort.

Earlier in the day we visited Sauvie island and enjoyed the apple harvest.

Doggy Sitting

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Rachel, Roma's coworker, has entrusted us with her little dog, Rocky, while she goes on vacation to Paris! Aleks is going to have a dog to take care of for 10 days. We had a practice day on Monday--and the first 10 minutes of our practice day, we already had a catastrophe--while going to the park, I locked Aleks in the car trying to take care of the ringing phone and the excited dog. So the good news is that the rest of the dog sitting time should go well and we get to have a sweet dog for just long enough.

Ruta, Brian, Ethan and Seth's Birthday

Now, this is how birthday cake should always be eaten!Click for more pictures

Skating at the Warehouse

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Tomato Pickin' at Sauvie Island

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Well, it is September! And everything that could be in bloom during the year either has already seen its season or is just finally coming into its season. September is tomato time and apple time. A fresh picked tomato straight from the field is so tasty--with all the summer's sun in its red tomato skin and juicy waters inside.