So my cold is thankfully starting to go away but unfortunately, so is my voice. All day today I would try and speak and only raspy squeaks would come out...maybe I am singing in my sleep or something. Once again though, it has been Eliane to the rescue as she got me some bronchial tea to ease sore throats.

There was actually a party going on here last night and another one tonight...it is Birthday Week here at Hof Wegwarte. Yesterday it was Tanya's birthday (the neighbour) whom had a get together in the cafe. Even after having just eaten the pasta dinner Martin prepared for us, we all found ourselves up in the cafe 5 minutes later with full plates of more great food. My contribution to the night was an apple crisp that I prepared in the morning using once again, apples I picked up from the yard...love it! It became an earlier night for me when I found out that Jochen had the last two Harry Potter books in English...the only ones I have yet to read! Ryan and I went back to the bedroom, discovered our bed is a futon (BONUS), and watched The Order of the Phoenix so that I could start reading the books today. I know it sounds weird, but after being out of school for over a month it actually feels really good to have a book in my hands again.

Jacob celebrated his birthday this week as well and is having his party tonight. Before the boys took over the cafe however, Ryan and I enjoyed what I will call our Thanksgiving dinner in Germany. Thanksgiving isn't celebrated the same here as back in Canada so when Monday passed and we didn't have a turkey dinner, it seemed a little odd. Tonight we ate once again with our current Germany family and it felt just like Thanksgiving at home. There was a big mixture of salads, mains, breads and dips tonight (mostly leftovers from last night) but it reminded me of the spread you would see at the Cadieux's (much smaller though). There was Ryan and I, Martin and Eliane, Luis & Jochen (sons) as well as the neighbours Andy, Tanya, and Fanzie (their 2.5 year old daughter).

As a cap to the night, we are going to enjoy some hot apple juice that Ryan and I pressed ourselves. Today we gathered about 6 baskets of apples which we are learning how to properly press into juice. We completed one round today but most of the work will be happening tomorrow. You have to make sure the apples are clean, throw them in a wood chipper, and then into the press to be squeezed. We will be making 1000L of juice for the barrel in the cellar plus some for drinking J

P.S. for those relatives in Scotland, please e-mail us because we are coming in November! We even went to Aldi this week to get some discount winter clothes!