2019 International German Genealogy Conference

~ marestales

July, 2017–The International German Genealogy Partnership (IGGP) held their first-ever family history conference in Minneapolis, MN–CONNECTIONS: International Cultural Personal. Instead of an expected 250 attendees, the conference committee was ecstatic to host over 700. It was one of the best conferences I have ever attended! What else would you expect when you gather together a group of German “cousins” from all over the world who are interested in finding their connections to the past, to the present, to each other? It was so great in fact, many people said, “Just give me a few days to regroup, then let’s do this again!”

Well, it is going to be more than a few days, but the Sacramento German Genealogy Society (SGGS) is hosting the 2019 International German Genealogy  Conference, June 15-17. The theme is “STRIKE IT RICH! with Connections 2 Discoveries.” If you have German ancestors and want to learn about the best resources and methods for German genealogical research around the world, or want to connect with possible cousins, I would encourage you to attend this marvelous conference.

For more information about this conference and IGGP, go to https://iggpartner.org/  

Having Your Cake and Eating It Too

~ marestales

We don’t have company over for dinner very often, but when we do, I like to try out new recipes. I figure, if company gives it the thumbs up, then it is good enough to make again. I mean, there are no kids at home to try things out on, so have to go fishing in a different pond, so to speak.

Well, if you know one thing about me, you know I love chocolate. I mean, I LOVE chocolate! But I am trying to lose weight. Such a slow process! Well, for dinner last night, I decided to try a new dessert. A chocolate fudge avocado cake, of all things. As I said, I love chocolate, but avocadoes are pretty dang good, too. It sounds like an odd coupling, but so does chocolate-dipped bacon. I have been pleasantly surprised by the yumminess of both.

The cake recipe was published in the April 2018 edition of The Costco Connection, created by Vevian Vazmediano for Index Fresh, Inc., who were evidently marketing their avocadoes through Costco. The recipe is full of healthy alternatives to the normal cake batter, like avocadoes instead of oil, honey instead of sugar,  and almond flour instead of wheat flour, along with eggs, unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla, baking soda, and salt. The frosting was made from avocadoes, honey, cocoa powder, and coconut oil. No butter.

All four of us gave it our seal of approval. It is pretty great to find a recipe full of healthy ingredients that tastes good, also. Having my cake, and eating it too. Yahoo!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restart Number 2

~ marestales ~ 2 Comments

Where does one begin? Oh my gosh… My head is so full of thoughts and memories, bouncing around in every possible direction. I like to think of it as creative energy, but maybe I am more scatter-brained than I ever realized. Nah… that can’t be it.

So, today I am beginning again by announcing to the world that I am “on the clock” with BCG as of 5 February 2018! This is huge for me! I have one year (providing no extension is needed) to complete and submit my portfolio to the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG). I have prepared a year-long plan to keep myself on track and focused. (Some people think retirees have nothing to do, but I have never been so busy.) I have begun writing and/or researching for every requirement. I have planned research trips to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, and to a number of repositories, libraries, courthouses, historical and genealogical societies, and museums in the Midwest.

Besides the BCG portfolio, I will be finishing about ten courses for NIGS (National Institute of Genealogical Studies) and the Beyond the Basics course for AGS (American Genealogical Studies). As a board member and volunteer for SGGS (Sacramento German Genealogy Society) I have the honor of working with an amazing group of people to help plan the 2019 IGGP (International German Genealogy Partnership) Conference to be held in Sacramento. (More on that later.)

This year is going to be an amazing one for me! I hope you will follow along with me as I share some of my successes and hurdles, discoveries and revelations, and more of my family history, and maybe along the way, offer some ways you can Show Your Tale, too. See you soon.

End of Hiatus

~ marestales

I can’t believe it has been six months since I last posted here. I had so many thoughts for writing, but never got back to it. Then, life got hectic with travel and studies. I successfully completed ProGen 29. A huge accomplishment! I was accepted into Gen-Fed 2017 and turned that into a five-week trip: a week in DC, a week in New England (family history research), a week in Minneapolis (IGGP Conference), and then about two weeks traveling with spouse, sister, and brother-in-law back to California. Road Trip!! Reunited with family, met cousins for the first time, saw new sites… I have so much to share!!

Today is just about getting my feet wet again in the blogging pool, like starting over in a way. I have felt a combination of guilt and anxiety about restarting, but “nothing ventured, nothing gained,” they say.  Welcome back!