Koop's Scoop

Monday, October 10, 2005

Oktoberfests, Birthdays, Volleyball, Fig Feast

This weekend was a mash-up of two birthday parties, two oktoberfests, lots of volleyball, and a fig-inspired dinner party.

On Friday night, we went to two Oktoberfests to celebrate Dennis' birthday. The first was at the Circle of Palms in downtown San Jose (next to the Fairmont). It was a bust... could it be that an R&B band doesn't inspire Oktoberfest revelry? Hmmm... We left that party and headed to Teske's Germania. This is a true German restaurant run by the Baumann family. They know how to throw a party. This weekend they were hosting The Internationals. We got lucky and got a table right on the dance floor in front of the band. Not shortly after getting seated we were drinking some fine German beers, eating pickled herring, Jägerschnitzel and Schwein Haxe, and enjoying the company of Dusty and his wife & friends. After a bit we were joined by Petra who is a girlfriend of one the bandmembers, Jan. The shots of Kleiner Feiglings (Feigling means "coward", as in will you be a coward and not drink the whole shot!) started and we even bought a round for the band after they toasted Dennis' birthday. Next came the Jagertee shots and Mimi and Petra dancing with Dennis. We made it home safely at 1Am with a smile on our face because of all the fun.

links:
San Jose Oktoberfest: http://www.sanjoseoktoberfest.com/
Teske's Germania: http://www.teskes-germania.com/
Kleiner Feigling: http://www.kleinerfeigling.de/index.php4
The Internationals: http://theinternationals.com/

Saturday:
Today started with nearly 3 hrs of volleyball with the San Jose squad competing against the Cupertino and Mtn View squads. Our kids played well and noted improvement from others. I had a lot of fun coaching.

We had another birthday party for our friend Ulysses' son, Jared. Great bbq and the kids got to whack at a pinata and went swimming.

We went ski boot shopping after that to three sporting good shops. Sean and I are now set, but Mimi is in need of new boots still. Any suggestions?

After shopping we got a quick bite to eat at In-n-Out burger. Kids first time there...

Sunday:
Church and then off to Katie's People to People interview. She seemingly did well. Not a lot of feedback. Dropped of three reference forms and her "why I want to go" explanation and dossier.
We then visited the Los Gatos Art Glass Pumpkin Festival. Bought a beautiful purple one with gold highlights - pictures and words can't describe how cool it is. We all watched how one of the local glassblowers makes his pumpkins. They use a metal jig to blow the pumpkin into and it makes the impressions in the glass and gives it a perfect pumpkin shape. I want to take a glassblowing class this winter (need to find a new calling!).
Pumpkin Fest link: http://holycityartglass.com/pumpkin.html
Picture: http://holycityartglass.com/images/PumpkinMix5.jpg

That night we hosted the 1st Annual Freaky Fig Feast dinner party. We were joined by six of our favorite foodies and we made a completely fig-centric meal... Most of the recipes from a book called, "Fig Heaven", that was a gift from Laura, Emily & Marie (kudos to the girls!).

*** Menu ***
1st Course
The Fig Cocktail (Rum, Cranberry, Pineapple juice, w/fig slice)
Roasted Figs with Gorgonzola and Prosciutto di Parma

2nd Course
Fresh Fig and Endive Salad with Goat Cheese & Bacon

3rd Course
Fig & Apple Stuffed Pork Loin with Cider Sauce
Basmati Rice with Figs, Mustard Seed, Onion, Garlic and Jalapeno
Green Beans

Dessert Course
Fresh Fig Tart
Fresh Figs with Mascarpone and Orange Caramel Sauce

From all accounts it was a great dinner. Too bad you missed it! Steve