Julia A Knaake's Blog – October 2018 Archive (16)

The Land Beyond the Forest 16

Andrei and Márta were married in a small chapel and the wedding festivities were in Carl and Letties back yard. Many people attended along with the family and friends. Their back yard had been kept up before they owned the house. They wanted to make it their own style.

Carl and Lettie were true to the former owners wish to keep it as his late wife had designed the garden. Lettie even contacted the former owners daughter to bring her Father, John,…

The Land Beyond the Forest 15

Today was Jim's birthday and Márta made his favorite Carrot birthday cake. Sue and Jim would be over around six tonight. Andrei and Benjamin were delivering dough only to a new client today. Andrei asked what they were doing with the dough.

“Pizza. I make pizza. People in Bucharest love this hand held snack. I help brother in Bucharest make pizza. I will try here to see if people like. Come back around five thirty and I give you ones I do not…

The Land Beyond the Forest 14

Almond tree blossoms

Carl and Lettie were perfect house guests. While staying at Márta's she and Márta hit some of the second hand shops in town looking for items Herta could use.

“I know she does not mind mismatched dishes but she hated it when some were cracked or chipped. I'm going to surprise her with some new slightly used bowls and plates.” said Lettie. Márta also answered Lettie's many questions about the neighborhoods near them.

“My…

The Land Beyond the Forest 13

Two weeks have passed and Benjamin and Marta were now moved out of the house in

Băile Tușnad. The owner even said he would drop the rent price if they stayed because they kept the property so well maintained. He also gave them back the cleaning deposit money which would help on their moving expenses. Benjamin let him know he had another offer he could not refuse and left it at that.

Carl and Lettie had their truck filled with their good friends…

The Land Beyond the Forest 12

Márta was in the kitchen with Herta and Lettie cleaning the dishes. Márta was as discrete as she could be but also asked Herta what had happened these past months.

“ Andrei was quite concerned that he had not heard from his brother. This is why we decided to come visit. Andrei brought the boxes of produce knowing you would share with your neighbors. Andrei is also now into the bread baking business. That's because once a month we and thirty others…

The Land Beyond the Forest 11

Andrei and Márta were driving his big truck to Băile Tușnad to see his brother, Benjamin and sister-in-law Herta. The population of Băile Tușnad was only 1,617 but the Romanians were close knit. There were also many Hungarians living in Băile Tușnad. The two groups got along but were not real sociable to each other.

Andrei had not heard from them for five months. His calls to them and letters were unanswered. Benjamin was not a writer but at least he…

The Land Beyond the Forest 10

Márta was in the kitchen chopping celery,and carrots along with mincing parsley and garlic when Andrei walked in the door. “My it smells enticingly delicious in here. What is my dear one concocting in here with her lovely hands?”

“I'm making a big pot of lentil soup. Enough for twelve hungry people.”

“Are you having company?” inquires Andrei with a grin.

“No. Did you forget about the dinner at the orphanage? Once a month you and I along…

The Land Beyond the Forest 9

Returning back home the newspaper spoke of a tragic fire accident about a friend of the family. The towns people all

gathered together to help the family. The house had caught on fire and the oldest son had saved everyone except himself.

He perished in the fire when the roof collapsed on him as he was carrying out the family pet.

The townsfolk had all taken in the family and was planning on helping them to rebuild. They were also planning…

The Land Beyond the Forest 8

January was ski season and Márta along with Andrei had been skiing all their lives. They would go on a two night trip with Jim and Sue to Predeal. A very nice mountain resort town in Brașov County, Romania. They were taking their old gypsy wagon and pulling it with four horses to a designated campsite.

The road was groomed well for the horses and hay was available to buy from the campsite manager and his wife. You pay the site fee, food for horses…

The Land Beyond the Forest 7

The next month Mirosi became quite a hero to the village. Márta and Andrei were down at the local pond with most of the townspeople. Everyone that wanted to were ice skating while others playing in the snow and sledding down small hills. Fun was had for everyone.

There were booths set up with sandwiches, cups of soup, coffee and hot chocolate along with pastries. All day long the villagers had fun playing with the children. The luncheon table was…

The Land Beyond the Forest 6

Márta and Andrei bonded with Mirosi quickly. He spent his time with both and knew the route between the two homes. Mirosi also knew that Shelly and George were welcome at the house. He had also learned the sound of Sue and Jim's automobile coming up the highway before it turned into the drive.

Andrei made him a sturdy leather harness then taught him safety walks along the road.

Márta taught him how to act around the chickens and Miau her gray…

The Land Beyond the Forest 5

Mirosi was introduced to Márta a few weeks later. She was inside making coffee for herself and Andrei. He was quietly reading the newspaper. Márta heard a noise outside the window. She had slightly cracked the window to allow fresh air inside after baking Charred Chili Sauce using pungent Romanian Red Garlic. Andrei and George were going to barb q a lamb. This sauce would be used to marinate the meat.

She heard a sniffing sound come through the window.…

The Land Beyond the Forest 4

The six horses were packed with food, blankets very early next morning before dawn. A hearty breakfast eaten and the riders dressed appropriately for hiking in a cold wet cave.

They mounted the horses and took off as soon as the sun was barely rising. Cioclovina Cave was their destination. It was in the heart of a remote mountain area near the origin of the Cioclovina River. Luckily it was early autumn because the water in the cave would be low or…

The Land Beyond the Forest 3

Andrei was in his shed when Jim entered the driveway calling him.

“Hello Jim. I'm in the shed testing my Pálinka. It has finished fermenting for the second time.”

“Will you put it into barrels?”: asked Jim. “Not this batch. I have another batch using black cherries. Here have a taste.” said Andrei as he handed Jim a small glass of his Apricot Brandy.

Jim took a taste and his cheeks reddened. Then a light sweat ran across his brow. “Whoa that…

The Land Beyond the Forest 2

MaMa went home after three days after Sue agreed that MaMa's wounds were healing nicely. Márta enjoyed her time with Sue but she was yearning to get back into her own kitchen. There were things to be done and places to go. She missed her own routine. Miau her gray tabby would be missing her very much. Miau was quite independent but really loved her little saucer of cream every morning. MaMa also missed Andrei. He was her beau. Andrei lived down the road…

The Land Beyond the Forest

The cottage was painted a Mediterranean Blue with white accents. The roof was deep gray flat slate. Foundation was from local rocks cemented together. Four small windows on the side wall with only one window on the top floor set directly in the center. A well used wide brimmed old straw hat hung on the gate waiting for the owner to return.

Inside in one corner was a wall to floor well used fireplace. The outside covered in white with blue print…