Family Mellmann

I took another baking class. This one was about baking with 100% whole wheat. We made a bread, which I braided, and scones with chocolate chips and cherries. The breads from the whole grains class, a couple of weeks ago (which are very German-style breads), continue to be a winner with Joerg. And the basic breads from our first baking class are popular with the kids, for sandwiches and dinner rolls. But I learned a lot about wheat chemistry and how the bread-making techniques are different with whole wheat versus all-purpose flour.

From swim lessons to camping, amusement parks to dress up, it's been a great summer. I thought I would put up some more pictures quick before the snow starts to fall! (I can't believe that school is starting and summer vacation is over.) Today we spent the afternoon at the local swimming pool - the last day. The pool closes for the season after today. It was a beautiful day. Tomorrow Patrick goes back to school and on Wednesday Katherine will start. What an exciting week. Enjoy the latest batch of pictures .

A beautiful day on the bike path.

Katherine gets a dress rehearsal on the school bus. School starts next Wednesday!

Patrick begins a new chapter of his education. Not only does he move from third to fourth grade, he moves from public school to private school. Here's more.

Today was Day 2 of our camping trip in Queechee, where Patrick is attending a camp about birds of prey. He is really enjoying camp, and today we got to get up close and personal with a couple of these birds. Patrick is just out of frame in this picture, asking a question. This hawk was looking right at Patrick as he asked his questions. This hawk comes in for a landing... ...before taking off again to return to the other volunteer. It was a very nice presentation, and a great chance for us to see what Patrick has become so passionate about.

Joerg and the kids arrived at camp on Sunday and got things set up while I was at my baking class. They got the camper in place and the basics up and running, and then they hit the pool. When I arrived from class (which was only fifteen minutes away from camp) we loaded the car and went out to dinner before Joerg headed back to Williston (someone has to actually work so that we can send our kids to cool camps like this raptor camp that Patrick is going to). Day 1 has been rainy and cool. We have seen three thunderstorms come and go, each lasting for less than a half hour with lots of rain. But rain is no problem when we can sit under the camper awning. Don't let that little bit of sunshine in the picture fool you. This was just a break in the rain between storms. Katherine has played at the playground (when it's not raining) and watched a couple of movies (when it *is* raining), and I have been able to get some work done and do some relaxing. The forecast for tomorrow sh

After our fantastic first experience with a King Arthur Flour baking class, we decided to sign up for some additional classes. This time I took a class by myself. Our first two classes Joerg and I did together, which was fun. Now that we know how the classes work and how long it takes to get to Norwich from Williston we feel more comfortable with signing up for individual classes. This class was called Whole Grain Baking. We made 100% whole wheat sourdough boule (ball-shaped bread loaf...the white one with a star on it) and a grainy sourdough rolled in seeds (the long batard and the boule with poppy seeds). We even had a chance to see one of our breads baked in a brick oven. It was a great class.

Our friends, Peter and Suzanne, recently took a trip. While they were gone we took care of their cat, Panda. As a thank you they brought back some authentic clothes for the kids. Thank you Peter and Suzanne! Welcome home.

It has been a beautiful day...perfect for the beach. Check out Katherine's tricks !