Category: My Family

Without a family, one seldom thinks long term

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Peter’s Chocolate : the best of the best!

Peter's Chocolate!

Oh, I know people who think they have had wonderful chocolate. I even know folks who debate on the best places to buy this or that. No store carries what I REALLY want!
They don’t really know chocolate. They don’t love it. They don’t know Peter’s Chocolate.

Peter’s Chocolates has a wonderful history. Years ago, Peter’s was part of the Nestle’ family of products … and there hangs a story. While I was in marketing at Nestle’, it was customary to exchange samples between managers of various products for scientific research purposes…. Ahem! I would bring down a couple of cases of Chocolate Chips and trade for a case of Peter’s Coating Chocolate…. the best!

Unfortunately, Peter’s Chocolate is no longer owned by Nestle’, but the chocolate is still the standard! Pictured above is a ten pound block of ‘Ultra’… the best of the best! There is nothing finer — in my humble opinion — anywhere!

So, I am bringing to my daughter Kristin’s Change of Command Ceremony 50 lbs… less my taxation. The perfect gift for the chocolate lovers – and there are many — in her company and brigade.

How did I acquire this? Ah, with the help of an old friend….
Roger Freberg

PS. I have a desire to bake a favorite Chocolate chip recipe of mine to celebrate… something from my old days hanging around the test kitchen at Nestle’.

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What’s for Dinner? TurkOstruGoosEn!

Turkostrugoosen -- it's what's for dinner
It’s tough getting an entire Ostrich or even the leg… which is what you need for a great Ostruducken ( Ostrich, Turkey, Duck and Chicken!)… However, all is not lost!

Karla put me to the challenge to prepare her a special birthday meal for the end of May. My daughters love these Bird within a bird within a bird meals! She would like some Ostrich, Turkey, Goose, Chicken and Quail! Karla would like some rabbit sausage stuffing.

Which brings to mind the need to find the unique stuffing for each bird. Wild rice for one, cornbread for another, sour dough for a third… each with it’s characteristic composition and flavorings.

When you slice this meal for serving, it is like slicing through a millenium tree revealing each layer releasing the aroma and flavors… definitely many meals in one!
Next month… the recipe!

Roger Freberg

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somethings never change

Laura looking beautiful as always
Laura will be speaking at a function being held at the Reagan Ranch and was asked for a current picture. Laura always likes me to take her picture… no pressure?

What’s amazing to me is how little she has changed since I first knew her… she was 12.

Always beautiful.

Roger Freberg

Clarification: the picture on the left was taken over 7 years ago… the one on the right is current… but she hasn’t changed much… just gotten better

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A bit of work and Trojan Fun this weekend

Dad and TommyLaura and I don’t often have an opportunity to get on down to Los Angeles… but when we do it is always fun to stay over by USC and catch a game or a film on campus. There is always something to do.

We had a few activities to do… Laura was meeting with some fellow Professors to discuss textbooks and such things, we volunteered to submit Karen’s visa application to the Chinese Consulate, meet up with friends and a few other odds and ends around town.

It was certainly an interesting experience submitting Karen’s visa application. Karen will be presenting at a conference in Beijing and asked for some help with some odds and ends. Isn’t that what dads are for anyway?

Almost everyone I know has visited or worked in China… well… except me. Somehow that’s the way it always works out with me waving them off on holiday! ha!

In any event, Laura and I had an opportunity to drop by and see Karen’s Annenberg School of Communication, my Marshall School of Business and walk on out to the Loker track stadium.

It was fun to see where Karen spent so much of her graduate education… and the track where she set the school record in the Shot Put.

fun and games at USC!
Coach Ron Allice is in the center photo with Laura… and Coach Lang, Lauren and Laura are pictured again on the right. Fight on!
USC farmer's market is wonderful
One doesn’t think of a “Farmer’s Market” in the middle of an urban setting… but here it is! Fresh veggies, thirst quenching juices and other healthy snacks were all for the taking…well… if you paid for them!

Great fun!

Roger Freberg

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It’s in the Genes!

Great Great Grandmother and Grandchild
My daughter Karen and her Great Great Grandmother Johanna Hjersted share some remarkable features.

I always wondered where the thick auburn hair originated?
Kristin resembles my mother and her Prussian side in looks and demeanor … which requires a little ‘spice’ in their lives.
Kristin dives!

Our third daughter Karla falls in between… families are so interesting.

Roger Freberg